D Suba Chandran

The Elections for District Development Councils in J&K: 
Facts on the ground

An earlier backgrounder provided a brief note on the announcement by the Union government of India in creating District Development Councils (DDCs) and conducting the elections. It was done by amending the J&K Panchayat Raj Act.

The members of the DDCs would be elected directly by the people. The DDCs are expected to bring local governance into the administrative process in J&K. According to the order issued by the government: “Every district will be divided into 14 territorial constituencies to elect members of the body. The DDC shall consist of the directly elected members from territorial constituencies in the district, members of the Legislative Assembly representing a part or whole of the district whose constituencies lie within the district and the Chairperson of all Block Development Councils of the district”. (The Hindu, 21 October 2020) According to the State Election Commissioner, “Delimitation has been done for the constituencies, and 280 DDCs have been identified across the Union Territory of J&K. The term of the DDC will be five years.” 

The elections are scheduled to be held in the 20 districts in eight phases in 20 districts. It would start on November 28 and end on 22 December 2020.

The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), an alliance of six parties from Kashmir Valley is a major actor. There have been a few issues within the PAGD, especially between the two main components – the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and also between the NC and smaller parties of the alliance in terms of seat-sharing. There have also been accusations on the NC, especially Farooq Abdullah on taking the lion’s share in the elected seats. However, as on 27 November, the eve of DDC elections, there has been no major disruption insider the PAGD. The Alliance feel buoyed; Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister of J&K and the leader of the PDP feels that “the BJP is feeling unnerved by the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration’s decision to join the DDC poll fray.”

The BJP is the other major political actor, that would be contesting in the DDC elections. The party has released a manifesto towards the same; according to a news report published by the Hindu, the BJP manifesto talks about “promising to provide 70,000 jobs with 100 per cent reservation to locals besides ensuring private sector employment, industry-friendly policy and a clean, transparent and accountable administration in Jammu and Kashmir.” (The Hindu, 27 November 2020)
 
Focus issues in the background
Ensure the elections are inclusive, fair and free
As mentioned in an earlier background note, the constitution of the DDCs by the government, and the decision to hold the elections during November-December is a bold and positive measure. Now, the government has taken this step, it should walk forward, and ensure that the elections remain free, fair and more importantly, inclusive.

First, the election is likely to be a two-front contest between the BJP and the PAGD. However, there are numerous other parties and also independents. While the BJP is likely to fight united, an earlier backgrounder has raised questions about the unity within the PAGD. It appears that the latter stands united and facing the elections, despite a few internal differences on seat sharing. Many suggest that the J&K Apni Party (JKAP), that was created recently early this year would make the contest trilateral. The PAGD and the BJP have a strong presence at the grassroots level in Kashmir Valley, and Jammu regions respectively, and have contested in elections earlier. The JKAP lacks the above - grassroots presence and electoral experience and is unlikely to make the contest trilateral.

Second, the government should ensure that there is a level playing field for all the parties and contestants. For example, the former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was on record stating that “the PAGD [People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration] candidate was not allowed to come out for the past 15 days for campaigning. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and State Election Commissioner KK Sharma were making false claims that every candidate is allowed to go for campaigning.” There is also another fear that the action against the leaders of the NC under the Roshni act at this juncture is a targeted effort by the government. There have been cases against the leaders, including Farooq Abdullah, for encroaching the government land. On this, to quote Mufti again, “The BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] is using ploys to divert attention. It uses a Deputy Commissioner to summon Dr Abdullah and the Roshni scam is a new ploy. The BJP is feeling unnerved by the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration’s decision to join the DDC poll fray.” (The Hindu, 26 November 2020) Just a week ahead of the elections, the government in J&K, published on its website, a list of beneficiaries under the Roshni Act, that included the Abdullahs. 

Farooq Abdullah, in another context, early this week had complained to the Election Commission that “Opposition candidates contesting the District Development Council (DDC) polls were being prevented from campaigning.” (The Hindu, 22 November 2020) Mehbooba Mufti also referred to a similar point, when she tweeted: “The GOI sabotaging participation of non-BJP parties in DDC polls. PDPs Bashir Ahmed despite having adequate security has been detained at Pahalgam on the pretext of security. Today is the last day for filing nominations & have spoken to DC Anantnag for his release @manojsinha_.” (The Tribune, 21 November 2020) Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami also repeated the same, in his letter to the Lt Governor of J&K: “Confining candidates against their wishes has severely restricted their movement and ability to campaign. Even in some cases, they are not allowed to attend party meetings.” (The Tribune, 20 November 2020)

In any electoral process, there would be actions by the State, and complaints by the opposition. Some are exaggerated, while some are genuine. Having decided to create the DDCs and conduct elections, the State has it ensure that the process is fair.

Third, the biggest challenge for the State would be to keep the elections free of violence. During this week, there was a militant attack outside Srinagar, on the National Highway linking Srinagar and Baramulla. Two soldiers were killed in an indiscriminate firing by militants who were travelling in a car. During the previous week, on 19 November 2020, four militants were killed in an encounter near Nagrota on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway. According to a news report, a “large quantity of arms and ammunition, including 11 AK-47 rifles, 29 grenades and three pistols” were recovered from the militants. (The Hindu, 19 November 2020). The militants were believed to have infiltrated recently through the international border by tunnelling their way from Pakistan.

Providing security to the campaigning, contestants and voters is a tough and challenging job for the State. While the State Police and the security forces have experience in conducting elections in difficult territories within J&K, the State has to ensure there is adequate security, so that the elections remain free.

The election for the DDCs is a positive measure. The State has to ensure, it remains inclusive, fair and free.

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