With single party rule becoming a reality at the Centre, and, in fact in several states also, Jammu and Kashmir too seems to be heading in the same directions. The present Coalition Government has already split on the surface with both Congress and National Conference going independent whereas NDA partners BJP and Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) too have decided to go alone in the State. The separation came over the sharing of Habakadal seat which has a large segment of Kashmiri Pandits, a fertile ground for any party. Both LJP and BJP want to contest from the same seat so the differences. If the ticket allocation is closely scrutinised it becomes clear that BJP is aiming at a majority. On the national front both LJP and BJP are contesting jointly in Jharkhand. This time also refugees and migrants are the two issues which are going to remain on the electoral forefront and any party which bats for these two causes is likely to gain some edge. The inclusion of 12 Muslim candidates from Valley in BJP’s first list is seen as part of wining clause and has caught many unawares. The BJP has cleared the names for the Valley, which comprise three Pandits and remaining Muslims including a Muslim Woman, Hina Bhat from Amirakadal in the Srinagar City. The emergence of some new faces in Jammu region for BJP can be attributed to party’s internal bickering. No doubt the Lok Sabha election does make a pointer but the Assembly elections have different connotation on the State’s political canvass. Though all the stake holders have ruled out any alliance but in case of hung Assembly they may look for partners to stay in power. Blame games apart both Congress and National Conference will have to have credible case for going alone and any step initiated in this direction should not reflect the cynicism behind it.
