BJP Struggles in Jammu Assembly Elections

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) experienced significant electoral setbacks in the Pir Panjal region of Jammu, winning only one of eight assembly constituencies in Rajouri and Poonch districts during the recent J&K assembly polls. Political analysts attribute this failure to various factors, including the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370, polarization over the Pahari quota issue, and rising terrorist activities, which undermined the party's claims of normalcy in the region. The National Conference (NC) and Congress alliance emerged victorious, securing five seats and effectively breaking the BJP's hold in an area where it had previously struggled. Notably, BJP leaders, including state president Ravinder Raina, suffered defeats, highlighting internal discontent and a disconnect with local voters. Furthermore, the delimitation of constituencies intended to bolster BJP’s electoral prospects did not yield the expected results, as the party faced losses even in its core Hindu-majority areas. Overall, the BJP's performance signals a challenging political landscape ahead, particularly with rising competition from other parties.