BJP Sees Hope in Kashmir Turnout; SC Criticizes Anti-TMC Ads

The BJP sees positives in Kashmir turnout, while the Supreme Court criticizes the party over anti-TMC ads.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the record voter turnout in the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency as a "vibrant testament" to the "democratic spirit."

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not contest any of the three seats in the Kashmir Valley. However, the party sees the higher voter turnout there as an indication of support for democratic processes and its policies. On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to the record voter turnout in the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, describing it as a "vibrant testament" to the "democratic spirit."

Carved out after a delimitation exercise in 2022 and spanning both the Jammu and Kashmir regions, the seat that went to polls on May 25 recorded a turnout of 55.40%. A similar turnout was recorded in the other two seats in the Valley—Srinagar and Baramulla (38.49% and 59.1% respectively). This marked the highest turnout in the last three decades. The other two seats in the Jammu region—Udhampur and Jammu—recorded turnouts of 68.27% and 72.22% respectively.

The BJP views the increased turnout as an indication of acceptance of the abrogation of Constitution's Article 370. Earlier, Modi stated that the BJP's aim of winning 370 seats in the Lok Sabha would be a fitting tribute to ideologue Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who spearheaded a campaign against Article 370.

In 2019, Parliament passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, which amended Article 370, thereby revoking the special status granted to the region. This legislation also resulted in the division of the state into two Union territories. While regional parties opposed the move, the BJP has asserted that these changes have brought about positive outcomes, including increased investment in the region.

The BJP is cognizant of the demand for the restoration of statehood and the frustration over the delay in holding assembly polls. Jammu and Kashmir has been without an elected government since the collapse of the BJP-Peoples Democratic Party coalition in 2016. The Supreme Court has mandated the conduct of assembly elections in the Union territory by September.

On Monday, the Supreme Court strongly criticized the BJP's advertisements against the Trinamool Congress (TMC), labeling them as prima facie disparaging. The court emphasized that while the BJP can promote itself and assert to be the best, it cannot incite hostility. It stated that the advertisements were not in the voters' best interest and reiterated that political opponents are not adversaries.

The Calcutta High Court previously criticized the Election Commission of India for its lack of action concerning the TMC's complaints regarding the advertisements. The TMC claimed that the ads were defamatory and breached the Model Code of Conduct.