BJP Absent from Indian-Administered Kashmir Election Ballot

The Indian-administered Kashmir is currently holding its first general election since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government took control in 2019. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not field any candidates in Kashmir for the first time in nearly three decades, reportedly due to concerns of being defeated by separatist sentiment. In contrast, Prime Minister Modi claims that repealing Kashmir's special status has brought peace and development after decades of separatist violence. Experts suggest that the BJP would have been roundly defeated if they had fielded candidates in Kashmir, highlighting the strong opposition to Modi's government among the Muslim-majority population. The region has a history of protracted conflict, insurgency, and state repression, which has led to widespread distrust of the Indian government.