Jammu, Jun 7: Can cacophony lead to a symphony?

Almost eighteen months after electing its first democratically-elected government in the Union Territory (UT) set-up, Jammu and Kashmir - with bated breath - is trying to find an answer to this vague question.

The long wait for the electorate, yearning for a change yet relegated to be the fence-sitters after they delivered their verdict in October 2024, has become dreary.

For a majority (of electorate), hopes are becoming stagnant, with a fatigue-factor seeping in deep inside with the intensified shadow-boxing in the political sphere.

NC versus BJP; PDP/Peoples Conference/J&K Apni Party versus NC; Congress versus BJP; BJP versus PDP and at times even NC versus Congress - the game of political one-upmanship is really hotting up now.

The media revels in - as the list grows longer and the situation turns spicier.

But the people are neither amused nor impressed with the insipid antics of those elected and their ecosystem.

Intriguingly, the protagonists - cutting across the party affiliations, have realised this growing unease, vexation among their electorate.

And they very well comprehend its political fallout for them.

This is precisely the reason as to why political noises - encompassing personal attacks and below the belt remarks - are going shriller day by day in the UT.

But sadly, hardly anyone is striking the right note(s) hence the dissonance is only leading to a frustrating political cacophony – at least for “the ruled.”

WHY ARE JARRING NOTES GROWING LOUDER AT THIS POINT OF TIME?

Since October 16, 2024, the expressions “dual power structure”, “special status”, “delayed statehood”, “reservation issue”, “business rules”, “governance dilemma”, “free 200 units of power”, “regularisation of daily wagers”, “jobs for unemployed youth” etc., have been intrinsic part of wordy-duel between the ruling clique and the opposition.

However, briefly during the 2026 J&K budget session and thereafter consistently, they have formed the pivot of stepped-up political verbal combats.

Reasons are not too far to seek.

And believe it, they are not vague even. They are based on a reasonable premise.

One - October 16, 2026 is just a few months away when the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led government will complete its two years in office.

Secondly, after 2024 assembly polls, all the political parties in J&K are anticipating their first major level-playing electoral battle this year - anytime.

Though this may or may not be a reality yet hints are being dropped about the conduct of Panchayat polls (and perhaps District Development Council (DDC) elections also) in 2026.

WHY ARE ALL MAINSTREAM POLITICAL PARTIES ENTHUSED, GLEEFULLY INDULGING IN HEIGHTENED VERBAL ONSLAUGHTS?

Post 2024 assembly polls, J&K has seen two interesting electoral battles – Rajya Sabha biennial elections and the by-polls to Nagrota, Budgam assembly segments.

However, in both the cases, the majority of main-stream political parties only watched and enjoyed the twists and turns in both the exercises – either from a distance or with a very limited role or scope.

Main contest in both the RS polls and Nagrota assembly by-poll was between National Conference (NC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while in case of Budgam by-poll, NC and PDP were locked in the straight pitched battle.

Rest all others gleefully enjoyed the “political drama” that unfolded after the culmination of the two major electoral (indirect and direct) exercises - mainly as fence-sitters for specific reasons.

While for J&K Apni Party and Peoples Conference, there had been no role in both RS biennial elections and twin assembly by-polls, for Congress, it proved to be a sulking experience.

Stung by the “betrayal” of its alliance partner in RS polls, Congress also chose to stay away from Nagrota assembly by-poll where only it stood a chance to offer some kind of contest to its bete-noire BJP.

Neither it contested nor it actively campaigned for the alliance partner NC.

Immediately after completion of its one year in office, the conduct of both these electoral exercises was deemed to be a litmus test for the NC vis-à-vis its popularity.

Was it waning, rising or steady?

The verdict was emboldening for the opposition as the NC was humbled by the electorate at both the Nagrota and Budgam assembly segments.

While BJP retained Nagrota assembly seat, NC’s bete-noire in Kashmir - PDP wrested Budgam from it, delivering it (NC) a crushing blow just one year after it (NC) won its historic mandate.

Similarly in RS biennial elections, NC witnessed a kind of coup as it could win only three out of four seats, despite being in position to make a clean sweep, leaving the BJP to have a last laugh, with one seat in its (BJP’s) kitty.

Not only this, its (NC’s) sulking alliance partner (Congress) too enjoyed the true verve of “poetic justice” in the set-back to the National Conference.

For NC, it proved to be not a proverbial “double” but a “triple” whammy (loss of RS seat and 2 assembly by-polls).

In this backdrop, all the main opposition parties are very enthusiastic, anticipating immediate conduct of Panchayat polls.

After facing setbacks in 2024 assembly polls, they are seeing the Panchayat polls, as and when they are announced, as a major opportunity for revival of their political fortunes as a level-playing field. NC’s losses in the second year of its power have further bolstered their spirits.

Notwithstanding the fact that Panchayat elections will not be contested on party symbols, they are in animated mode.

Their free-wheeling participation in unrelenting pollical verbal onslaught is a clear indication that poll-vibes have seeped in.

More so, because they have nothing to lose and they will enter the poll arena empty-handed to make some easy and fast “poll-bucks”, if the lady-luck favours them.

While all political parties, including Congress and PDP are enthusiastic and demanding immediate Panchayat polls, two key players NC and BJP are quietly gearing up for this major electoral exercise.

Their cautious approach suggests that they are not for a “hurried” (though already long due) exercise.

Their nervousness is also finding reflection in their growing edgy behaviour towards each other and other political opponents.

The anticipation of Panchayat polls is turning their verbal onslaught more acerbic.

Crucial point, however, is looming uncertainty over the schedule of Panchayat polls.

Earlier reports suggested that the polls could be conducted after the culmination of AmarnathYatra in August 2026, however, there was no official endorsement so far.

For political beings, who are presently immersed in aiming barbs at each other, practical fear is that their acerbic poll vibes may turn stale if elections are delayed.

Coming to the second main reason for spiralling up verbal pitched battles between the ruling side and the opposition is the “red-letter day” of October 16.

Ear-piercing jarring notes and heightened offensive against NC are indicative of this fact.

Party’s honeymoon period with the electorate is over and the opposition as “a pack of wolves” is all out to hunt its “political prey.”

NC leadership, too, very well knows that this time it cannot justifiably repeat its trite song – “People’s mandate is for five years and not for six months, one year or two years.”

The argument has been its smoke-screen throughout so far, as and when questioned about the fulfilment of its electoral promises.

Hence, it has put its latest “ammunition” on display as it has announced that its all MLAs will hold a protest at JantarMantar in the union capital, on the opening day of Monsoon session of the Parliament.

So far, its trump card has already been declared a “damp squib” plan by the opposition.

But the electorate are watching and wondering if the J&K politics is at a crossroads or in the crosshairs.

Verdict will be out very soon.