The once ‘boycott capital’ of Jammu & Kashmir, Srinagar, is witnessing a surge in political activity ahead of the May 13 Lok Sabha election. The city, which recorded a mere 14% voter turnout in 2019, is now abuzz with late-evening door-to-door campaigns, musical events, and the whirring of political vehicles. This election presents a paradigm shift in mainstream politics, with ideology taking precedence over the traditional promise of ‘sadak, bijli, pani.’ Neither the BJP nor the Congress has fielded candidates in Srinagar, setting the stage for a contest primarily between the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who are part of the People’s Alliance of the Gupkar Declaration. The J&K Apni Party, formed after 2019, has also entered the fray with former PDP leader Ashraf Mir as its candidate. The election has become a battle of ideologies between the NC and the PDP, both vying for votes in a constituency long considered a bastion of separatism. The sense of disempowerment and heavy-handed security measures post-2019 have fueled despair and anxiety among Srinagar’s voters. Voting, therefore, has emerged as a means of catharsis and assertion. The NC and the PDP, mindful of the past violence and the heightened political awareness of Srinagar’s electorate, have chosen candidates who are seen as ideological vanguards. Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi of the NC and Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra of the PDP have emerged as the vocal representatives of their respective parties’ opposition to the BJP’s abrogation of J&K’s special status in 2019. Both candidates, in their early 40s and 30s, have effectively engaged with disenchanted and alienated sections of society through their poll rallies. Ruhullah, whose father was assassinated in 2000, has earned the reputation of being the NC’s “moral compass” with his unwavering stance since 2019. He has played a pivotal role in shaping the party’s ideological discourse. Former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently spoke at a rally in Srinagar’s Badamwari, a former no-go zone for mainstream parties due to the influence of militants and separatists. It was a significant moment, marking the first time that Abdullah had addressed a rally in Sangeen Darwaza. The past three decades have witnessed a significant impact of the separatists’ boycott call in Srinagar. However, no separatist or militant group has issued such a call this time. In the highly volatile Pulwama district, PDP’s Parra is making a concerted effort to connect with the alienated and angry population. Despite facing multiple militant attacks in the run-up to the 2019 elections, Parra has managed to hold late-evening rallies in areas known for their militancy. Parra, jailed for 19 months under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act after his 2020 arrest, can relate to the suffering of the people he represents. First-time voters, including those who have turned 18 since 2019, are expected to play a decisive role in the election. Their views are likely to significantly influence the outcome among the 24 candidates in the fray.
A Battle of Ideologies: Srinagar Lok Sabha Election Heats Up
