Parties intensify efforts to woo Independents, rebels

With the counting day here, all eyes are set on rebels, independents and smaller parties in different constituencies as they could emerge as kingmakers.

BJP had faced a strong rebellion within its ranks after ticket allocation for the Assembly polls. Infuriated over party’s decision over ticket allocation, some prominent leaders, including its J&K vice president Pawan Khajuria, had contested as Independents.

Khajuria and another BJP leader Balwan Singh, who had joined J&K Panthers Party, had contested from Udhampur East. The party had suspended both Khajuria and Singh along with another leader Narinder Singh Bhau, who contested as an Independent from Chhamb constituency.

However, the saffron party remain confident that it will form government with the help of Independent candidates and like-minded parties. BJP J&K chief Ravinder Raina on Monday said, “We are confident of winning 35 seats in J&K, and with the support of independents and like-minded groups, who will secure around 15 seats, we will cross the majority mark of 50 to form the government”.

Also, Engineer Rashid-led Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) and former members of Jamaat-e-Islami (JEI), who contested as Independents, came together in a strategic alliance before the Assembly polls. Opposition parties have alleged that both Engineer and members of Jamaat were helping the BJP in its agenda. Also, the performance of smaller political outfits like Apni Party and Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) will also be interesting to watch as both of them have been termed by the opposition as the B-team of the BJP.

For the Congress, party rebel Satish Sharma contested against former deputy chief minister and senior party leader Tara Chand from Chhamb constituency, which has been a Congress stronghold since since 1962.

Meanwhile, J&K Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra had recently stated that doors were open for like-minded political parties and individuals who want to keep BJP out of power in J&K. It has been learnt that Congress and NC were also in touch with independent candidates ahead of results.

With the results looming, the focus remains on independents, rebels, and smaller parties, who could emerge as kingmakers in the formation of the next J&K government.