Today, Kashmir remains one of the most militarised regions in the world.
The BJP has been working extensively to increase its support base and woo locals in Kashmir in recent years.
Still, despite Mr Modi’s claims that Kashmiris agree with the removal of the special status, his party is not contesting in any of the three seats.
Experts said that if the BJP had contested in Kashmir, defeat would have meant a loss of face and blunted Mr Modi’s claims.
Meanwhile, the party has fielded candidates in two seats in Hindu-majority Jammu and one in Ladakh, all of which it had won in the previous election.
The ruling party’s leaders have also been talking about bringing Pakistan-administered Kashmir under India’s control – a claim local leaders say is bound to hike regional tensions and invite retaliation from the Pakistani army.
Experts said voter turnout will be a key indication of local sentiment. In 2019, voter turnout in the region was less than 40 per cent.
