The 2014 election recorded the highest voters’ turnout in 25 years in Jammu and Kashmir.
As per the terms of the coalition agreement, Mufti Mohammed initially led the government for the first three years. Subsequently, Ghulam Nabi Azad from the Indian National Congress took over. However, his tenure was cut short as President's rule was imposed on the state in July 2008. The subsequent election was conducted in November-December 2008. This led to the formation of another coalition government, composed of the National Conference (NC) and the Indian National Congress (INC), with Omar Abdullah as the head in 2009. Yet, the state continued to experience disturbances spearheaded by the Hurriyat Conference.
In 2014, the state underwent yet another election, which marked the highest voter turnout in 25 years. This culminated in a coalition government, with Mufti Mohammed Sayeed of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) assuming leadership and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as its partner. Following Mufti Mohammed Sayeed's demise, his daughter Mahbooba Mufti assumed office as the first woman Chief Minister of the state in April 2016. Under Mahbooba Mufti's leadership, the region faced significant acts of terrorism, mounting external and internal tensions.
In June 2018, the President's rule was enforced after the BJP withdrew its support from the Mufti government. Subsequently, on 5 August 2019, Article 370 was abolished via the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019, leading to the division of the state into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh stand as living examples of a plural society within India. The regions exhibit diverse facets—be it religious, cultural, linguistic, ethnic, or tribal. These diversities also extend to political and developmental aspirations, which the recent Act sought to address and fulfill. |
