Srinagar:

Authorities in Kashmir have issued an advisory, warning people about the high risk of forest fire over the next seven days.

In a letter issued by the office of the Kashmir divisional commissioner, deputy commissioners of all 10 districts of the valley have been directed to make people living in fire-prone areas aware of the risk.

“It is crucial that everyone, particularly those in fire-prone areas, are made aware of the current risks and proactive measures are taken to prevent any incidents,” the letter reads.

It also asks the authorities to use all available platforms, including social media, local media and community meetings to inform citizens about the risks.

The advisory urged the people to stay alert, avoid open flames and report any signs of fire promptly.

The field staff, forest workers and emergency responders were directed to be on high alert.

“Ensure that all forest staff, local authorities and emergency responders are notified and briefed on the current fire risk. They should be prepared with fire-fighting equipment and ready to take action if necessary,” it added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The final track work on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail link (USBRL) project is complete, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Friday, calling it a “historic milestone”. The completion marks a crucial phase in the ongoing project, which aims to establish a direct rail connection between Kashmir and the rest of the country.

“Historic milestone; Final track work The ballast-less track work for the 3.2 km-long Tunnel T-33, located at the foothills of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and connecting Katra to Reasi, was successfully completed today at 02:00 hrs,” Mr Vaishnaw wrote on X.

Historic milestone; Final track work on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail link is complete.

The ballast-less track work for the 3.2 km-long Tunnel T-33, located at the foothills of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and connecting Katra to Reasi, was successfully completed today… pic.twitter.com/VUZTTi61A7

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) December 13, 2024

As per an update on November 19, 255 km of the total 272 km stretch had been completed, with just a 17-kilometre section between Katra and Reasi left.

One of the most eagerly awaited aspects of the USBRL project is the anticipated Vande Bharat Express, which is expected to begin operations in January 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the train, which will connect Kashmir directly to New Delhi.

The USBRL project holds significant strategic value, providing seamless connectivity to the Kashmir Valley and strengthening the region’s link to the rest of India. This project, initially approved in 1994-95, has been rolled out in phases. The first phase, the 118-km Qazigund-Baramulla section, was commissioned in October 2009. This was followed by the 18-km Banihal-Qazigund stretch in June 2013 and the 25-km Udhampur-Katra section in July 2014. In February 2020, PM Modi inaugurated the 48.1-km Banihal-Sangaldan stretch, marking another significant milestone in the project’s progress.

It was designated a “National Project” in 2002. A key highlight of this project is the world’s highest railway bridge, standing 359 metres above the Chenab riverbed, making it 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower. This 1.3-km-long bridge is a vital part of the 111-km stretch connecting Katra to Banihal, a crucial segment of the Kashmir Railway project.

With inspections and assessments of tracks and stations taking place, the final push towards completing the remaining sections is well underway.

Srinagar/New Delhi:

The Indian Army successfully neutralised two terrorists in the general area of Halkan Gali in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag in a significant counter-terrorism operation, a defence spokesperson said today.

Acting on specific intelligence, security forces had been tracking the terror group’s activities for over a month, the spokesperson said.

These terrorists were responsible for multiple attacks, including the targeting of Rifleman Hilal Ahmad Bhat of 162 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) on October 8 and previous incidents in Halan, Bijbiara and Shangus.

The security forces saw suspicious movement at 11.45 am on Saturday and challenged the terrorists, who opened fire.

“Our forces effectively retaliated, neutralising both terrorists. A large cache of arms and war-like stores were recovered,” the spokesperson said.

“The success of this operation is attributed to the invaluable support and cooperation from the people of Anantnag and Kulgam, who provided crucial information and facilitated the operation,” the spokesperson said.

A senior army officer said people’s participation and coordination with security forces demonstrated collective commitment to establish peace in Kashmir.

This operation highlighted the relentless efforts of the security forces to combat terrorism and ensure regional security, the officer said, adding the elimination of this terrorist group will significantly impact terror groups’ capabilities in the area.

The Indian Army remains committed to upholding peace and stability in the region, and through operations like Halkan Gali, the army demonstrates its unwavering resolve to protect citizens and combat terrorism, the spokesperson said.

One of the terrorists among the three who were neutralised in separate encounters was a top Pakistani commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit.

The LeT commander, identified as Usman, had been active in Kashmir valley for several years and was also involved in the killing of inspector Masroor Wani, a senior police officer said. Mr Wani was shot dead from close range while he was playing cricket in Eidgah ground in October last year.

With Usman neutralised, the army has dealt a “major blow” to the LeT in Jammu and Kashmir. “Usman was the senior-most Pakistani LeT commander here,” the officer said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Kashmir Zone, Vidhi Kumar Birdi, on Saturday visited four paramilitary personnel who were injured in the Khanyar gunfight. He assured them of full support throughout their recovery.

Delhi:

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah instructed police in the Union Territory to not demarcate a “green corridor” or stop traffic when he travels by road, in one of the first orders after taking oath on Wednesday.

Mr Abdullah urged his Cabinet colleagues to follow “people-friendly” conduct, as their aim is to serve the people and not inconvenience them. He also said that use of stick or aggressive gestures during road movements is to be avoided.

I have spoken to the DG @JmuKmrPolice that there is to be no “green corridor” or traffic stoppage when I move anywhere by road. I have instructed him to minimise public inconvenience & the use of sirens is to be minimal. The use of any stick waving or aggressive gestures is to be…

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 16, 2024

The National Conference leader was administered the oath of office and secrecy by the LG Manoj Sinha at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar. Surinder Kumar, MLA from Nowshera in Jammu, was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir along with other ministers.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other leaders of INDIA bloc were also present for the swearing in ceremony. However, the Congress sat out of the state Cabinet.

After taking oath, Omar Abdullah received a guard of honour at Civil Secretariat in Srinagar and held his first maiden meeting with secretaries of various departments.

Omar Abdullah, who is heading the National Conference-led government in the state, has backing of other parties in INDIA alliance and four independents. The NC-Congress alliance won majority in the assembly polls, together bagging 48 of 90 Assembly seats.

The BJP put up a impressive performance bagging 29 seats. Peoples’ Democratic Party won three seats and one seat each was won by the People’s Conference, CPI-M and AAP. Seven seats were won by the Independents.

The results of the three-phased elections in Jammu and Kashmir were declared on October 8. This was the first election in Jammu and Kashmir after abrogation of Article 370.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

“It’s good these people are in jail,” a fruit seller shared his frustration, keeping his shop open despite a lowered shutter in response to the lockdown called on by the separatists. The year was 2019, precisely a month after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government announced the abrogation of Article 370, and “these people” in question were the leaders of Jammu & Kashmir’s regional parties: the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Five years later, these very people are not just out of jail, but some of them are also set to form the government in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. 

The world can draw an essential lesson from what has transpired in Jammu & Kashmir in the last five years. And this lesson has nothing to do with the polling outcome. Despite the previous unstable assembly (the BJP opted out of the ruling PDP-led coalition), the geopolitical turmoil in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370, and the controversy around delimitation, Jammu & Kashmir chose democracy yet again.

Democracy As A Lived Reality

When an insurgency or an armed conflict continues for too long, democracy is the first to fall. Increased securitisation of a conflict-ridden space undermines democracy not just as a political philosophy concept but also as an everyday lived reality. Political alienation is often the beginning and the end of a conflict. It is also the means and the end of most insurgencies. Secessionists in Jammu & Kashmir, therefore, leaned on boycotts of political processes in the region. These boycotts were successful in forging a sense of identity, delinked from New Delhi, in a section of Jammu & Kashmir’s population.

Jammu & Kashmir’s voter turnout in 2024 has fallen marginally short of 2014. Still, considering the political and security volatility during the past decade, the political remapping of the region, and the trends from the 2024 general election turnout, the absolute figure of 63.88% is a big round of applause for Indian democracy. Not only were the calls for boycotting the elections negligible, but voters also didn’t even think twice before ignoring them. The pre-poll sentiment in Jammu & Kashmir was defined by buoyancy and optimism.

Reigniting Faith

Participation in electoral processes should not be seen as an indicator of peace in Jammu & Kashmir or any other conflict-riddled region. Democracy does not suit all, and efforts to derail it are the strongest whenever it appears to work and emerge as a choice. For peace, the synergy of formal institutions is a prerequisite. The BJP has done well to reignite people’s faith in at least one of them: electoral polity. Jammu & Kashmir, under the governor’s rule for six years, grabbed this chance to assert itself and make its voice heard in New Delhi. The JKNC-Congress alliance has trumped religious extremism-driven parties on the one hand and heavy-handed nationalism on the other.

After almost a decade of aggressive and kinetic strategy in dealing with the hardliners in J&K, this is a perfect moment for the Indian establishment to rethink its attitudes towards conflict resolution. The temptation to discard democracy as a defunct system is at its highest during an armed conflict. But this is also the time when democracy can shine the brightest. A rights-based approach to conflict resolution may appear counter-intuitive, but this is the only lasting solution. The rejection of the right to vote by a dissatisfied bunch of people as a means of their political expression can be the first sign of trouble. The converse is also true.

This Is True ‘Normalcy’

The BJP may not feel warm and fuzzy about the assembly poll results, but New Delhi has all the reasons to rejoice. This is what ‘normalcy’, an oft-touted catchword of the current dispensation, looks and feels like. This almost violence-free election is the festive bonus that everyone hoped for, but nobody could have been sure of it. Reams will be written about the “success” of this election within the security paradigm. However, the real success is allowing the decriers of democracy to come into the fold. After long periods of violence and quasi-violence directed primarily against the Indian state, this election is an affirmation of the core principles of participatory democracy. 

No political system, even the good old democracy, can and should be treated as the panacea for all ills. At best, democracy can achieve an environment where people who are affected by policies feel like stakeholders. This precludes compulsive resistance and fosters a sense of ownership. Jammu & Kashmir’s ‘problem’ is both a function and an origin of political alienation and disempowerment. Increased participation on the population’s part and more open-mindedness on the part of the establishment during political processes help create a secure environment that doesn’t rely solely on securitisation.

What and how Jammu & Kashmir’s political arena will look like with a government in place after six years of Governor’s rule remains to be seen. For now, these lessons of democracy are for all to see and emulate. 

(Nishtha Gautam is a Delhi-based author and academic.)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

New Delhi:

A drone footage has emerged showing the moment a terrorist ran out of a building, firing his assault rifle, while the security forces engaged and neutralised him in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla on Saturday.

Three terrorists were shot dead by the security forces on Saturday following an overnight gunbattle at Baramulla, with officials terming the operation a “significant success”.

In the operation at Baramulla’s Chak Tapper Kreeri, three “hardcore” terrorists were shot dead and a large quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered, Commander of the Army’s 10 Sector Rashtriya Rifles Brigadier Sanjay Kannoth said.

The drone footage shows one of the terrorists running towards some trees near the compound wall of the house. He falls on the ground, and crawls a few metres before stopping, while more bullets punch holes on the concrete walls, raising a cloud of white dust.

The operation marks a huge success for the security forces at a time when there has been a disproportionate number of losses.

In a separate encounter in Kupwara, two army soldiers were killed in action.

“Last night, we received specific intelligence about the presence of some unidentified terrorists in Chak Tapar/Watargam,” Brigadier Kannoth said, adding the forces then cordoned off the location where they suspected the terrorists were hiding.

“Our columns were fired upon by the terrorists hiding in an old building. As per the standard operating procedures, we returned fire,” he said. “The operation continued in the morning when our troops in a very professional manner engaged the terrorists and neutralised them without any collateral damage to civilian life and property,” Brigadier Kannoth said.

The assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases starting September 18.

Srinagar:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Srinagar on Thursday, where a mega rally is being planned at Sher-e-Kashmir Park (SKICC) by the BJP.

The visit will happen a day after Jammu and Kashmir would have voted in the first of the three phase election on September 18. PM Modi’s campaign will boost the BJP’s efforts in building broader support across the state.

“The rally is going to be a pivotal moment in the party’s campaign strategy and would also mark a significant step in bolstering the BJP’s presence and deepening its connection with the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” said a senior BJP leader who attended the core body meeting in Srinagar on Sunday.

According to him, PM Modi will be able to connect with the valley and reassure them of commitment to security and stability.

In preparation for the rally, the BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir election in-charge Ram Madhav, BJP general secretary (organisation) Ashok Koul, and Srinagar district president Ashok Bhat called a meeting at the BJP district office in Srinagar.

Other leaders in attendance included BJP Jammu and Kashmir campaign in-charge and former deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh, vice election campaign in-charge Manish Sharma, former MLC Surinder Ambardar, national spokesperson Shazia Ilmi, former MLC Charanjit Singh Khalsa, BJP candidates, and district presidents.

“As Jammu and Kashmir approaches this critical election season, Prime Minister Modi’s visit underscores the BJP’s determination to bring transformative progress to the region. His address will aim to inspire confidence among voters and reaffirm the party’s commitment to driving a development-focused agenda that benefits all sections of society,” BJP secretary Ashok Koul told reporters.

“The people of Jammu and Kashmir have accepted the BJP and have full faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. We are confident that we will form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir,” Ram Madhav said.

In his last visit to Srinagar, PM Modi had promised that elections would take place soon and also statehood would be restored.

Srinagar:

In a new twist to pre-assembly election politics in Jammu and Kashmir, the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) and former members of the banned Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI) have come together in a strategic alliance and have decided to support each other’s candidates.

“The move was made by Engineer Rashid’s party and Jamaat agreed to it as in the end it’s a fight for a bigger cause and not for the chair,” a senior officer told NDTV.

According to him, both parties knew that if they contested alone, then they would be dividing their own votes. “But now by fighting together they would be consolidating votes, especially in the south and also in north Kashmir,” another officer said.

In the meeting held today, the AIP delegation was led by its chief and MP Engineer Rashid and spokesperson Inam Un Nabi, while the JeI delegation was led by Ghulam Qadir Wani. Other prominent JeI members participated in the discussions.

At the core of the meeting was the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir, with both sides emphasising the need to work together in the larger interest of the region’s population.

Following comprehensive deliberations, it was agreed that the AIP would support JeI-backed candidates in Kulgam and Pulwama. Similarly, JeI will throw its support behind AIP candidates across Kashmir.

In areas where both AIP and JEI have fielded candidates, the alliance has agreed to a “friendly contest”, particularly in constituencies like Langate, Devsar and Zainapora. In other constituencies, mutual support will be extended to ensure a unified approach to the elections.

“With Jamaat and AIP coming together, PDP (People’s Democratic Party) will suffer the most in south Kashmir, while in North Kashmir a significant dent would be seen in the National Conference vote bank,” a political analyst said.

He said the move aims in stopping division of votes. “Both parties have the same base cadre, so it is a good move by them,” the analyst added.

Both parties in their agreement have stressed on resolving the Kashmir issue and promoting a lasting and dignified peace in the region.

“They highlighted the rapidly evolving political landscape, both regionally and internationally, and stressed that neither JeI nor AIP can afford to remain passive observers,” a source said.

After reaching an agreement, the leaders in both parties asked their cadre to spread the message of support for each other’s candidates, in line with the agreement.

“The goal is to secure a resounding victory for AIP and JeI candidates, ensuring that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have strong representatives who can articulate their sentiments and aspirations,” a JeI member said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Chenab Valley on Monday, where he is scheduled to address three rallies.

Jammu:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday that the Pakistan government has called the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as ‘foreigners’ while India considers them as its own citizens.

Addressing an election rally of the BJP in Ramban district of Jammu division, Rajnath Singh referred to the BJP-PDP coalition government and said, “During Mehbooba-led government, we withdrew cases against minors and those who were innocent. But the problem was that the PDP was sympathetic to separatists. I would always tell her to bring the ground situation under control, but she couldn’t. People of J&K are free citizens of India and they have a right to peace and prosperity.

“In contrast to this, in a recent affidavit, the solicitor general of Pakistan has called the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as ‘foreigners’. We don’t call them foreigners. They are our people. Let them come and join us. After a government is formed in J&K, the people of PoK will want to come and join India,” he asserted. He strongly criticised former J&K chief minister and National Conference (NC) vice president, Omar Abdullah for saying Afzal Guru should not have been hanged.

“Omar Abdullah has said Afzal Guru should not have been hanged. I want to ask him did he want Afzal Guru to be garlanded?” Mr Singh queried.

The Union minister said he has come for the first time to Ramban, but the people have given him a warm welcome. “I greet all of you. After 10 years, Assembly elections are being held in J&K. Entire country is watching the outcome of this election. I was in America recently and the Indian diaspora there asked me what would happen in these elections. I told them BJP will form the govt in J&K,” he claimed.

“While coming here, I asked Dr Jitendra Singh about the ground situation and he told me that such a conducive political atmosphere in favour of BJP is far greater than his expectations. In the past, whenever, 2, 6 or 10 per cent voting would take place in Kashmir it would become a big news. 58 per cent voting took place in Lok Sabha elections and in Ladakh it went to 72 per cent,” he added.

“First time, there was an election here which was held without fear and without any partisan consideration. This is a great change for us. The people of J&K are hard-working and talented. If BJP rules J&K for the next 10 years, J&K will be the most prosperous place in India,” Rajnath Singh opined.

“Since Modiji took over as the Prime Minister, our economy has grown from 11th place to become the 5th largest economy in the World. Independent economic surveys and media reports now accept that in 2027 India would be 3rd largest in size after US and China,” he claimed.

“Give an opportunity to BJP to form the government here and we will change the face of this place in 10 years. We have already changed the ground situation in the last 10 years. Even Tazia (Muharram) procession was not allowed in Kashmir and we made this procession take place,” the Union minister said.

“Nobody has the guts today to fire a pistol or hurl a stone at Lal Chowk. Countries need a strong-willed PM and we are fortunate to have one in Modiji. In J&K women were deprived of their rights. We will ensure that West Pakistan refugees, Safaikaramcharis, Valmiki Samaj and others will vote in the Assembly elections. We ensured OBC reservations in Panchayats and urban bodies,” he further claimed.

“PM Modi abrogated article 370 and nobody rose against this. NC manifesto says they will restore 370. Nobody can restore 370 now. For the first time, a G-20 meeting was held in Kashmir Valley. This is called governance. Kashmir was called a terrorism spot, but now it is called a tourism spot,” he said.

He referred to developments in the last 10 years and said that the Muharram procession, railway link, Rs 38000 core worth developmental works, reducing the travel time from Jammu to Srinagar from 14 to 4 hours, 40,000 recruitments in last 5 years.

“Not a single stone pelting incident since 2022. Those youth who had pistols in their hands had rave tablets and laptops. We abrogated 370, if Congress has guts, let them get it back. As long as the BJP is there, no power on earth can bring 370 back,” he asserted.

He also referred to the Parliamentary delegation that went to meet hardline separatist leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani on September 4, 2016. “I was part of the Parliamentary delegation and I told members that the Hurriyat is allergic to the BJP, but if they wanted to go to meet the Hurriyat, they could. When they went to their door, the Hurriyat people shut their door on them,” Rajnath recalled.

He referred to the manifesto and the promises made in that. He said incomplete border fencing will be completed, two free gas cylinders will be provided to families of weaker sections, students of remote areas higher secondary schools will be given free tablets and laptops, Jammu will have a riverfront on Tawi, Ramban and Banihal will have tourist destination areas. Jammu and Srinagar will get Metro services and migrant Kashmiri Pandits will be brought back to the Kashmir Valley with safety and honour. In the end, he appealed to voters to elect BJP candidate, Rakesh Gupta with a huge majority.

J&K will go to the polls in three phases on September 18, September 25 and October 1 while counting will take place on October 8.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

With the election dates announced for Jammu & Kashmir, frantic political activity has begun in the state. This will be the first election after the abrogation of special status.

The founder of the J&K Apni Party has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while there are unconfirmed reports of Ghulam Nabi Azad making a gharwapsi to the Congress.

Can the opposition form a united bloc against the BJP, or will the National Conference (NC) and Congress at least continue with their Lok Sabha alliance in the state elections? Or, will all the four main parties go it alone? The answer to this question will determine the course of these elections.

In the last three polls in the state, no party secured a simple majority of its own. In 2002, the Congress and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) joined hands post-poll to form a government. In 2008, the Congress backed the National Conference in a post-poll arrangement. In 2014, the PDP and the BJP came together to provide a government for the people of J&K.

Multi-Cornered Battles

Quadrangular contests have made it tricky for any party to cross the halfway mark. The structure of the assembly is such that it makes it difficult for any party to win. Pre-delimitation, the Kashmir valley had 46, Jammu 37, and Ladakh four seats.

In Kashmir, which has a Muslim majority, the main contest is between the two regional parties: the Mufti family’s PDP and the Abdullah family’s NC. In Jammu, which has a Hindu majority, the main contest is between the two national parties, the Congress and the BJP.

Post-delimitation, the total assembly seats have increased from 87 to 90, with Kashmir having 47 (+1) and Jammu 43 seats (+6). The proportion of seats in Hindu-dominated Jammu has increased from 42.5% to 47.8% post-delimitation.

In the 2014 Vidhan Sabha elections, the PDP had won 28 seats with a 23% vote share, the NC got15 with 21% votes, the BJP 25 with 23% votes, and the Congress won 12 with 18% votes.

While the BJP almost doubled its vote share, the PDP gained 8% and the NC lost 2%. The BJP and the PDP gained largely at the expense of others (independents and smaller parties). While the BJP won 25 of the 37 seats on offer in Jammu, the PDP won 25 of the 46 seats in the Valley.

The BJP withdrew support from the government in June 2018. In the 2019 general elections, the NC and BJP won three seats each, with the former sweeping Kashmir and the latter winning in Jammu and Ladakh.

In August 2019, the Central government revoked the special status of Jammu & Kashmir. Parties in the Kashmir Valley, including the NC, PDP, and a few others, soon formed the Gupkar Alliance in response, demanding the restoration of Article 370.

The Recent Lok Sabha Elections

In the recently concluded general elections, the NC won two seats, the BJP got two, and an Independent candidate won one seat. Both ex-chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah lost the elections. The PDP’s influence declined in the Lok Sabha as it couldn’t win any seat and recorded just 8.5% vote share. The BJP didn’t contest in the Kashmir valley and tactically backed Sajjad Lone’s party, the People’s Conference. 

A section of the voters is looking for new parties or leadership, ideologies, and fresh perspectives, away from the traditional parties. There is confusion over the opposition alliance too. Though both the NC and Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP are national allies of the Opposition INDIA bloc, their traditional turf rivalry in Jammu & Kashmir, particularly in the Valley, may prevent them from forming an alliance in the Assembly elections, just as they didn’t in the recent Lok Sabha election.

Can There Be A United Opposition?

Despite Farooq Abdullah’s statement that the National Conference would contest the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly elections alone, the  Congress is pushing his party for a wider alliance for the assembly polls, stressing that the idea is to defeat the BJP and thus all like-minded forces should come together.

A united opposition could spell trouble for the BJP. The party hopes that the opposition will ultimately fail to stitch up an alliance. This will allow the BJP to sweep Jammu, while seats in the Kashmir valley will be split. It is thus backing proxies in the valley, such as Sajjad Lone.

But sweeping Jammu is not so easy. Here, a resurgent Congress emboldened after its national performance in the Lok Sabha elections could give the BJP a run for its money. Jammu also has many districts with a high Muslim population, such as Rajouri, Poonch, and Ramban. This is why the NC and the PDP have been winning a few seats from here, while the BJP has never won a seat in the Valley.

A very polarised election is on the cards. All eyes are on the voters of the state, who have delivered fractured mandates in all the recent elections -2002, 2008, and 2014. Will they deliver a clear mandate this time, or will post-poll arrangements again define this election? Only time will tell.

(Amitabh Tiwari is a political strategist and commentator. In his earlier avatar, he was a corporate and investment banker.)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author