The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections of 2024 marked a significant turning point in the region’s political landscape. The elections were held from 18 September to 1 October 2024 in three phases, making them the first since the revocation of the region’s special status in 2019.
The results were declared on 8 October 2024, with the INDIA alliance securing a decisive victory. The alliance, which includes the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), the Indian National Congress (INC), and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), won 49 of the 90 seats. Among the three, the JKNC emerged as the largest party, winning the highest number of seats.
Key Election Results
- The INDIA alliance secured 49 seats, crossing the majority mark in the 90-member assembly. This allowed them to form the government.
- The JKNC led the coalition by winning the most seats, while Omar Abdullah was selected as the Chief Minister nominee.
- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), despite winning the largest share of the popular vote, managed to secure 29 seats, coming in second place.
- Other parties like the INC, JKPDP, and CPI(M) won 6, 3, and 1 seats, respectively, with independent candidates securing 7 seats.
Decade of Political Instability
This election was not just about numbers but also about the region’s political future. The last assembly elections were held in 2014, leading to a coalition government between the JKPDP and BJP, with Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as the Chief Minister. Following his death in 2016, Mehbooba Mufti took charge, but in 2018, the BJP withdrew support from the government, triggering Governor’s rule.
In 2019, the Indian government revoked Article 370, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status, and reorganized the state into two Union Territories. This move was accompanied by political unrest, curfews, and detentions, which delayed the region’s return to a democratic process.
Delimitation and Judicial Mandate
- A major challenge was delimitation, which required redrawing constituencies. A Delimitation Commission was set up in 2020, and its final report was released in May 2022, increasing the total seats in the assembly to 114, of which 24 seats were reserved for Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
- After several delays, the Supreme Court of India directed the Election Commission in December 2023 to hold assembly elections before 30 September 2024.
Political and Legal Reforms
The election also symbolized broader changes within Jammu and Kashmir’s legal and political frameworks:
- Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019: This act bifurcated the state into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
- Supreme Court’s Verdict: In December 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the abrogation of Article 370, reaffirming that the actions taken by the government were constitutional.
- Lithium Reserves: The discovery of lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir became another political issue, as debates over mining rights and economic benefits intensified in 2024.
Omar Abdullah’s Leadership
After winning the election, Omar Abdullah was sworn in as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory on 16 October 2024. His leadership comes with high expectations as the region seeks stability, economic growth, and the restoration of peace and statehood.