Gerrymandering?

Asem Mohiuddin
The final draft of the delimitation report has finally been in the public domain. The commission entrusted to formulate the delimitation process for Jammu and Kashmir stayed in controversies all during its time with major two political parties Jammu Kashmir National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party rejecting the commission and its report tabled last week. However, it didn’t deter the BJP led government in New Delhi and the commission continued its work till it submitted the report.
The final draft, which is likely to be implemented before the upcoming elections, recommended massive changes in the political boundaries of legislative assemblies and splitting the Chenab region’s Rajouri-Poonch parliamentary constituency between Jammu and Kashmir.
Overall, as many as seven seats have been increased in the Union Territory with six falling in the Jammu region and the remaining in Kashmir province. Besides, two more seats are recommended for the Migrant Pandits as per the provisions of Pondicherry. With the increase of seven more seats in the Union Territory for Assembly segments, the total tally will stand at 90 from earlier 83 seats. The bigger change in the process is believed to be the thinning gap of political representation between the Kashmir and Jammu region. From an earlier gap of seven seats, Jammu is now just behind four seats to Kashmir triggering a rage among the local political parties.
“The commission was set up at the BJP office in New Delhi and in Jammu at Trikuta Nagar. It was the BJP Commission not the Delimitation commission,” said PDP spokesperson Tahir Sayeed. PDP since beginning opposed the commission and refused to participate in its meetings citing that it is working on set guidelines by BJP.
“The vote of Kashmiris has been devalued in the process. No laid down criteria was considered by the commission and it is unfortunate we have to understand the recommendations of the commission through religious lines,” he added.
Similarly, the largest political dispensation JKNC is of the same view and said “no amount of gerrymandering can change the ground situation in J&K, Ladakh.”
“The entire exercise has been blind to the universally accepted and practised criterions and principles with regards to electoral representation. However no amount of gerrymandering will save the BJP, and its proxies from the wrath of people. People of J&K have made it a point to punish BJP and its proxies for all they have done to J&K. No matter how many false fronts they put up, people won’t forgive those who have robbed the region of its unique status, its prized historical individuality and dignity. The writing is on the wall,” said Dr Farooq Abduallah, NC president.
Except BJP all the major and minor political parties have criticized the process.
The experts, however, believe that the process has been carefully crafted and BJP is the winner of the game.
“In the upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir unlike earlier Jammu will be a focused region. The Kashmir will remain divided with no single political party securing a majority. The BJP will be concentrated in Jammu to ensure it wins majority seats and claims for the Chief ministerial post with alliance to any regional party,” said a senior journalist, wishing to be anonymous since he is not authorized to comment on political issues from his organization.
He hopes that the only chance for the other political parties is to fight elections jointly against the mighty BJP.
“But it is unlikely and difficult for all opposing parties to join hands.”
The JKNC and PDP also accuse BJP of helping the Apni Party and Peoples Conference in Kashmir region by redrawing the political boundaries of Assembly segments. Both the parties are accused of working as BJP’s B-team in Kashmir.
CPI (M), CPI, IDP and others also in a joint statement criticised the Commission’s final report (order).They alleged, “the report was a replica of its (Commission’s) earlier controversial and objectionable draft proposals.”
In the recommendations submitted to the Government of India, the panel split the major vote banks of the various constituencies and shared it among other constituencies. It has left the existing political stalwarts in distress who have all these years worked to consolidate the vote bank.
All those who are aiming to fight the elections in future in Kashmir have to work fresh in the constituencies if the recommendations are implemented.
“It is a level field for everyone now. Earlier, the constituencies were almost under control by political parties or local representatives. There was no gap for fresh air,” said Abdul Hameed who is planning to contest the elections in the future.
“In this process, no one has a vote bank now since it has been scattered in new arrangements. So let’s fight in a level field”.