The first parliamentary elections in Indian-administered Kashmir since the revocation of its partial autonomy in 2019 are underway, with voters heading to the polls. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government defended the move, stating that it has helped integrate the region with the rest of the country and brought peace and development after years of separatist violence. However, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not nominated any candidates to contest the three seats in the Muslim-majority region, raising questions about their intentions.
Political science professor Noor Ahmad Baba, BJP chief spokesman Sunil Sethi, and author Radha Kumar discuss the implications of these elections on a panel hosted by Laura Kyle. Despite the BJP’s absence from the electoral race in Kashmir, tensions are high as the region faces its first parliamentary elections under the new political landscape.
The revocation of Kashmir’s special status continues to be a controversial topic, with opinions divided on whether it has truly brought peace and development to the region. As voters cast their ballots, the future of Kashmir’s political landscape remains uncertain, with the absence of the ruling party indicating potential challenges ahead. Stay tuned for updates on the outcome of this historic election in Indian-administered Kashmir.
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