J&K polls: Congress, NC slip; BJP and PDP see hope

SRINAGAR: The BJP and PDP are geared up for a direct clash in the upcoming J&K assembly polls. With an antiincumbency mood kicking in, National Conference and Congress seem to be at a disadvantage. Probably that explains why CM Omar Abdullah took months to find a safe seat. The BJP , sensing a chance to do well, is eyeing 44-plus seats. It's focusing on 25 of the 37 Jammu seats. In the recent LS polls it held on to a lead in all these 25. The party won Jammu, Ladakh and Udhampur in the general elections comprising 41 assembly segments and believes it has an appeal among voters in Hindu-majority Jammu.

For the first time ever, BJP is fighting across the state, tweaking its pitch for different regions. In Jammu, it talks of the need to abrogate Art 370. In Kashmir the stress is on development and governance. "The PM will woo voters promising development across J&K and good governance," Hina Bhat, BJP candidate for Amira Kadal says. Keeping Art 370 on slow burn, BJP's Ram Madhav and Union minister V K Singh have been quoted saying scrapping of the Article would be the prerogative of J&K's people.

The lotus seems to be struggling in the Valley's 46 seats. Barring one or two constituencies, its chances look slim. And, BJP can't bank entirely on Pandits. Recently, Vinod Pandit, chairman, All Parties Migrants Coordination Committee, demanded a blueprint on rehabilitation of the displaced community from all parties. Should they fail to satisfy, the community would press NOTA, he said.


In the Valley , demands for a resolution of the Kashmir issue assume importance, even though rural voters cla mour for government jobs.That's why PDP patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed focuses on friendly ties with Pakistan. He talks of soft borders and trade. These strike a chord. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti says her party would strive for good governance and jobs. She talks of making J&K a true welfare state.