In getting rid of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir’s state legislature was also dissolved. The region was then divided into three union territories, or federally controlled regions.
The BJP said the move has helped restore normalcy in the area, but locals disagree.
The ruling party has long claimed that Jammu and Kashmir’s special privileges fuelled unrest in the region and held the state’s economic progress back.
“Back then, militants used to publish calendars to say businesses would only operate for five days in the entire month. Schools, colleges, all would remain closed for 25 days a month,” said Rafiq Wani, the BJP candidate for Anantnag West.
“In these five years, there’s been development here and peace has prevailed. Today, kids are going to school, workers are off to work in cities. They used to worry whether they’ll make it back home in the night because there used to be frequent bomb blasts.”
RESTORING STATEHOOD
Wani said he is the only BJP candidate with a real shot at winning a seat for the party from the Kashmir valley, where the party has traditionally not enjoyed any support. This is despite Modi claiming that Kashmiris supported the revocation of Article 370.
Of the 47 seats in the region, the BJP is only contesting 19.
Wani said that if BJP wins the election, it will reinstate Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
The Modi government further said only it can grant Jammu and Kashmir full statehood and is urging locals to vote for the ruling party.
Other political parties are also calling for the region’s statehood to be restored, which will grant it better access to funds, independence in policy making and pursuing its own direction.
Locals said that while the elections are a welcome democratic exercise, reinstating the region’s statehood is what the people of Kashmir really want and the only way to truly bring normalcy back.
