The first assembly elections in ten years were held in Jammu and Kashmir in 2024, from September 18 to October 1, with results being declared on October 8. This was a landmark event. The 2019 repeal of Article 370, which got rid of the territory’s unique status and reconfigured it as a Union Territory, made this election more than simply a political exercise; it was a litmus test for democracy in a place that went through significant change. A shift toward engagement was shown by the fact that over 63% of voters cast ballots, despite previous boycotts. Mostly in Jammu, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 29 seats, while the National Conference (NC)-Congress alliance won 49 of 90 seats, with Omar Abdullah becoming the Chief Minister. This article explores the background of the elections, crucial figures, voter behavior, and its significant implications. Under the shadow of New Delhi, the 2024 elections capture a region at a crossroads, managing hope, identity, and governance amid statehood issues and security issues.
The Historical Context; A Decade of Silence
The Election Process; A Three-Phase Triumph
Key Players; The Political Heavyweights
The political heavyweights in J&K fought vigorously in the 2024 elections. Following the leadership of Farooq and Omar Abdullah, the National Conference formed an alliance with Congress, winning 42 and 6 seats, respectively, for a total of 49. Omar’s victories in Ganderbal and Budgam strengthened his position as leader, and on October 16 he was sworn in as Chief Minister. With its best-ever total of 29 seats, the BJP, led by Ravinder Raina, dominated Jammu but did not manage to gain traction in Kashmir. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which had been a dominant force under Mehbooba Mufti, had its lowest showing since 1999, losing three seats. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), a smaller party, made its debut with Mehraj Malik’s victory in Doda, while independents, including seven winners, showed their strength. Despite Engineer Rashid’s win in the Lok Sabha, the Awami Ittehad Party failed. With NC’s comeback, BJP’s regional dominance, and PDP’s fall, this election altered alliances and rivalries and established a new political order in J&K that was fueled by voter choice rather than disjointed forecasts.
Campaign Narratives; Promises and Polarization
In 2024, campaigns focused on both practical and sentimental topics. By appealing to Kashmiri feelings of identity and autonomy, the NC-Congress coalition promoted the restoration of statehood and the legacy of Article 370. In order to appeal to those who are looking for dignity beyond 2019, Omar Abdullah promised to elevate local voices. On the other hand, the BJP boasted of infrastructural improvements and a decrease in terrorism after Article 370 was repealed, emphasizing development, security, and unity with India. Although Kashmir continued to be illusive, their approach focused on Jammu paid out. Although the PDP supported the NC’s demand for statehood, it found it difficult to win back support following its 2014–2018 BJP collaboration. Discussions were centered on security, employment, and reservation rules, with parties accusing one another of ignoring J&K’s two distinct regions: Kashmir’s Muslim predominance and Jammu’s Hindu majority.
The plains of Jammu were dominated by the BJP, while the valley of Kashmir was dominated by the NC. Roads, schools, and statehood were among the concrete promises made to people who were tired of hyperbole yet eager for change. J&K’s divided soul was highlighted by this collision of views, which was reflected in the election’s divided judgment.
Key Players; The Political Heavyweights
Voter Turnout; A Silent Revolution
The 2024 turnout of 63.9% was a shocking departure from years of apathy and the call for boycotts in Kashmir. Historically, separatist influences and militant threats kept people away from the polls—turnout was less than 50% in the Valley during the 1990s and 2000s. There was a 65% turnout for the assembly polls in 2014, but there were many calls for an expected disengagement after the revocation of Article 370. Instead, 2024 was a watershed in which turnout in Kashmir almost equaled Jammu, and districts like Baramulla and Kupwara crossed 60%. In this case, the anger against central rule and the wish for agency found expression. Young voters, alongside women and first-timers, made the numbers in the face of threats from the persisting militant shadows. Analysts have called it a “silent revolution,” not an endorsement for New Delhi but a pragmatic embrace of democracy to solve local challenges. Despite high turnout, resentment over the loss of statehood could not simply evaporate; it found expression through ballots. For J&K, it became not so much a matter of reconciling with India but a means to reassert its voice that has remained silenced since 2018, giving the elections a quiet yet powerful statement.
Election Results; A Mandate with Limits
On October 8, 2024, the NC-Congress alliance secured 49 seats—NC winning 42, Congress 6—crossing the 46-seat majority mark in the 90-seat assembly. Two victories made Abdul Omar the Chief Minister, ending a legislative void of six years for him. BJP’s 29 seats, all from Jammu, are its best performance yet, although it failed to win any in Kashmir. PDP’s 3 seats hint towards its coming extinction, while 7 independents and 1 AAP victory created some variety. With the addition of five nominated seats (two women, two Kashmiri Pandits, and one from PoK), this was amended to 95. Results seemingly divided J&K in half: NC in Kashmir, BJP in Jammu.Still, the mandate came with limitations; the Lieutenant Governor still has control over certain areas, such as security, and the assembly’s powers are still limited by UT status. Though the winners welcomed a semblance of democracy, they were plagued by its limitations in a territory still under the control of New Delhi. It was a hybrid triumph, conclusive but restricted.
Statehood Debate: The Unfinished Promise
Omar Abdullah’s Leadership; A New Era?
Omar Abdullah’s return as Chief Minister on October 16, 2024, marked a personal and political redemption. After losing the 2024 Lok Sabha race in Baramulla, his dual wins in Ganderbal and Budgam reaffirmed NC’s grip and his legacy as Farooq Abdullah’s heir. At 54, Omar brings experience—having led J&K from 2009 to 2014—and a moderate voice to a polarized landscape. His challenge is daunting: restoring statehood, a core NC promise, while navigating a BJP-led Centre and a diluted assembly. His cabinet, including Deputy CM Surinder Kumar Choudhary, blends Jammu and Kashmir voices, signaling inclusivity. Omar has vowed a “constructive relationship” with New Delhi, avoiding antagonism despite ideological rifts. Early tests include addressing terror spikes—13 killed in 15 days post-election—and economic stagnation. Supporters see him as a bridge between J&K’s past autonomy and present realities; critics question his leverage under Union Territory constraints. His tenure could redefine J&K’s political identity—or expose its fragility.
The elections’ success was marred by a grim postscript: a surge in terror attacks. Between October 9 and 24, 13 people, including soldiers and civilians, died in strikes across Baramulla, Pulwama, and Gulmarg. A notable attack on October 24 targeted an Army vehicle near Baramulla, killing four. This wave, linked to PoK-based militants, disrupted the narrative of stability post-Article 370. Security forces seized terrorists’ properties and intensified operations, yet the violence underscored J&K’s fragile peace. The BJP touted a 70% drop in terror incidents since 2019, but 2024’s uptick—coinciding with the polls—raised doubts. For voters, it revived fears that electoral gains could be overshadowed by bloodshed.
Omar Abdullah’s government faces pressure to coordinate with central agencies, despite limited control over law and order. The attacks tested the election’s promise of normalcy, reminding all that J&K’s political renewal remains entangled with its unresolved security quagmire, a challenge no ballot can fully erase.
Implications for India; A National Echo
Statehood Debate: The Unfinished Promise
Conclusion; A Step Forward, Miles to Go
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024 were a triumph of participation and a mirror to its complexities. The NC-Congress victory, Omar Abdullah’s leadership, and a robust 63.9% turnout marked a democratic revival after years of silence. Yet, the joy is tempered—by a limited assembly, rising terror, and an elusive statehood dream. This election was not a resolution but a beginning, reflecting a region eager to govern itself yet bound by New Delhi’s reins. For Jammu and Kashmir, it’s a fragile hope: a chance to heal divisions, address grievances, and reclaim agency. For India, it’s a reminder that democracy thrives on dialogue, not diktats. As Omar navigates this tightrope, the world watches—will J&K’s voice grow louder, or remain a whisper in the Union’s shadow? The 2024 polls have opened a door; the journey ahead will test its strength.