LECTURE ON THE TOPIC ELECTIONS AND PARTY SYSTEM IN J&K SINCE 2002

A lecture on the topic ‘Elections and Party System in J&K since 2002’ was organised by IIPA Regional Branch of Jammu. The lead speaker was Professor Rekha Chowdhary. The Chief Guest was Dr. S.S. Bloeria, Vice-Chancellor of Central University of Jammu. Dr. Ashok Bhan, Chairman, J&K Regional branch presided over the lecture. Sh J.B.S Johar Hony Secretary conducted the session and Sh. Chander Gulhati presented vote of thanks.

Professor Rekha Chowdhary started her talk by giving a brief analysis of party system since early 1950s and referred to the phenomenon of single party dominant system which hegemonised the political space. This hegemony of a single party not only weakened the democratic frame of politics of the state, but also generated discontent both in Kashmir as well as in Jammu region. The phenomenon of uncontested returns as well as the absence of opposition and dissent distanced people of Kashmir from electoral and power politics and also generated a feeling of ‘political neglect’ in Jammu region. All this changed in 2002 as the entry of PDP as another Kashmir-based political party generated an intensely competitive politics in Kashmir. This had the implications of locating the electoral politics in the popular responses. For the first time, people in Kashmir had the satisfaction of changing an incumbent government through their ballot. With electoral space of Kashmir becoming highly competitive and fragmented, the phenomenon of coalition politics was initiated which for the first time linked Jammu with the power politics.

Dr. S.S. Bloeria in his remarks referred to the four major developments in the politics of J&K which marked 2002 as a turning point. Of these, the first is the emergence of PDP as a competitor to the NC; second, there was a general realisation about efficacy of voters’ rights; third, there was a real beginning of coalition politics in the state and fourth, not only Jammu but Ladakh was also mainstreamed in the politics of the state. Referring to the trend towards decentralisation of power as reflected in Urban local self-governments and Panchayats, he also talked of the bumps in the process.

Dr. Ashok Bhan referred to various phases of politics of Kashmir and emphasised the shifting nature of politics during each phase. In his opinion, the post-2002 politics has generated a substantial space for democratically handling the situation in Kashmir. He dismissed the possibility of elections being manipulated in substantial way in the present era. He also stated that coalitions have come to stay and have defined the present day politics.

There was a lively interaction in which the members of the IIPA and other civil society members raised a number of queries and further carried the discussion.