Shift in election discourse: Emotive issues take backseat, development, progress dominate discourse

Srinagar, Apr 9: As Jammu and Kashmir gears up for another electoral battle, a noticeable shift in election slogans and issues over the past five years is palpable.
The winds of development have also emerged as a pivotal issue, not only within Jammu and Kashmir but also at the national level. With the spotlight firmly fixed on the five parliamentary seats, a nuanced dialogue on the trajectory of development and progress permeates the electoral discourse.
The tragic suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama, just months before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, reverberated across the country, claiming the lives of 40 brave soldiers. Subsequent retaliatory airstrikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir propelled national security to the forefront of the electoral agenda, predominantly championed by the BJP. However, in the current electoral landscape, these issues have taken a backseat.
Instead, the rallying cry of “laptop, not gun” for the youth has gained traction. The abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A by the Central Government within six months of the Pulwama attack has reshaped the political terrain, fueling debates on the impediments posed by these articles to the region’s development.
“With separatism waning and incidents of stone pelting on the decline, the focus has shifted towards heralding a new era of prosperity and growth. The resumption of Bollywood’s interest in the valley and the revival of cinema halls after decades underscore the tangible progress witnessed post-Article 370 abrogation,” says a senior BJP leader who is part of the electoral campaign in Jammu and Kashmir.
Furthermore, he said, the issue of granting citizenship to long-neglected communities, such as West Pakistan Refugees, Valmiki Samaj, and Gorkha Samaj, has gained prominence. “The government’s efforts to address the grievances of Kashmiri Pandits, including employment opportunities and housing provisions under the PM package, have also found resonance among voters,” says a Jammu based political analyst. (KNO)