Kashmir election: Separatist candidates – change agents or Trojan horses?

Kulgam, Indian-administered Kashmir – Kaleemullah Lone, a candidate from the Langate constituency in Kashmir, is campaigning for votes with promises to address issues like healthcare and unemployment, avoiding mention of the longstanding Kashmir dispute. This comes as Indian-administered Kashmir prepares for its first regional polls in a decade, with the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) participating after years of boycotting elections. The JeI, previously involved in armed movements against Indian rule, is now fielding candidates, leading to a mix of confusion and speculation.

The decision to participate marks a significant shift for the JeI, which boycotted elections following alleged rigging in 1987. Now, with the region’s political landscape evolving post-autonomy revocation in 2019, the JeI is seeking to engage with Indian democracy despite facing criticism and internal resistance.

As candidates gear up for the upcoming elections, tensions between mainstream parties and those backed by the JeI and other anti-India groups are rising, with conflicting views on the motives behind their participation.