The apex court’s bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, scrutinized the contested ballots and identified a “deliberate effort to deface eight ballots” cast in favor of Kuldeep Kumar. This revelation has not only altered the outcome of the mayoral race but also highlighted the integrity of the electoral process.

This controversy began when Manoj Kumar Sonkar was declared the winner of the mayoral elections after eight votes supposedly cast for the AAP-Congress alliance candidate, Kuldeep Kumar, were invalidated under questionable circumstances. This led the AAP to challenge the election results, citing evidence of manipulation by the Returning Officer, as captured on CCTV footage during the counting process.The footage captured Mr. Masih discreetly altering certain ballots. Midway through, he looks up, suddenly aware that the CCTV cameras are documenting his actions.

The political alliance between AAP and Congress, representing the broader INDIA bloc’s effort, faced a severe test following the controversial election results. Despite winning 20 out of the 36 votes cast, the invalidation of eight votes had initially swung the victory in favor of the BJP candidate. The Supreme Court’s intervention has now rectified this, reinstating Kuldeep Kumar as the rightful Mayor.

However, the challenges for the newly declared Mayor and the INDIA bloc are far from over. Ahead of the Supreme Court’s verdict, three AAP councilors defected to the BJP, potentially complicating the majority equation in the 36-member council. With these shifts, the BJP’s strength in the council has reached a critical number of 19, considering its own members, the support from a Shiromani Akali Dal candidate, and BJP MP Kirron Kher. With three AAP members switching sides, the AAP-Congress alliance’s strength in the council has diminished to 17 votes. This could pose a challenge for AAP-Congress Mayor Kuldeep Kumar if a no-confidence motion is initiated against him in the council.

As Kuldeep Kumar takes on the mayoral responsibilities, the focus now shifts to how the INDIA bloc will navigate the complexities of council politics in the aftermath of this landmark ruling.

BY – KASHISH JAIN 

The decision, confirmed by the party’s leadership in a press conference held in Srinagar earlier today, comes amid heightened tensions and uncertainty in the region following the Abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special autonomous status.

In the wake of the controversial move by the Indian government, several mainstream political parties in the region had faced a dilemma over their future course of action. While some chose to collaborate with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or its allies, others opted to maintain a distance, citing concerns over the erosion of the region’s autonomy and identity.

Farooq Abdullah, the veteran politician and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, emphasized that the decision to contest elections independently was taken after thorough deliberations within the party. He stated, “We have always stood for the rights and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Our decision to go solo in the upcoming elections is a reaffirmation of our commitment to safeguard the interests of our people.”

Mr. Abdullah categorically dismissed the possibility of forming alliances with other opposition parties, affirming that his party would participate in the forthcoming elections independently. The National Conference’s decision to go solo in the Lok Sabha polls follows similar moves by Mamata Banerjee’s TMC and Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP, hinting at internal discord within the 28-party-led INDIA bloc.

Last month, Mr. Abdullah voiced his apprehensions regarding the absence of agreement on the India bloc’s seat-sharing arrangements. His concerns surfaced amidst growing tensions within the coalition over the distribution of electoral constituencies.

Recently, Mr. Abdullah found himself summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) concerning purported financial irregularities at the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association. This case revolves around accusations of funds being diverted to unrelated parties’ personal bank accounts and unexplained cash withdrawals from the association’s financial holdings.

Observers note that the decision by Farooq Abdullah’s party to chart its own course in the upcoming elections could further complicate the political landscape in the region. With multiple parties vying for power and support, the electoral dynamics are expected to be highly fluid and unpredictable.

The announcement by the JKNC has drawn mixed reactions from various quarters. While supporters of the party have welcomed the move as a reaffirmation of its commitment to the region’s autonomy and self-determination, critics argue that it could fragment the opposition and inadvertently benefit the ruling dispensation.

The development comes at a time when Jammu and Kashmir continues to grapple with a range of challenges, including security concerns, economic downturn, and social instability. The region has witnessed sporadic incidents of violence and unrest, underscoring the urgency of finding a lasting political solution that addresses the grievances and aspirations of its people.

BY – KASHISH JAIN