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The upcoming Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Assembly election results have sparked controversy over the nomination of five members to the Assembly. BJP vice-president Sofi Yousuf has publicly declared that all five nominated members will be BJP leaders, even naming the individuals. While four of the proposed nominees are from Jammu, one, Dr Fareeda Khan, is from Kashmir. Dr Khan has confirmed that the BJP has approached her regarding the nomination.
This move has drawn strong criticism from opposition parties, who argue that the nominations should be made by the government that is elected, not before the election results are announced. They claim that the BJP is attempting to manipulate the outcome of the elections by preemptively securing a majority through these nominations.
The controversy stems from the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, and its subsequent amendment in 2023. These acts stipulate that three of the five nominated members must be women. The addition of these nominated members will increase the Assembly's total strength to 95, requiring a majority of 48 seats. Exit polls suggest that no single party, including the leading National Conference-Congress coalition, will achieve this threshold.
Yousuf, one of the BJP's most senior ministers, claims that the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, will be making the final decision based on advice from the Union Home Ministry. He further asserts that the BJP has a strong base in J&K, citing their performance in the elections and their support from Independent candidates and smaller parties.
The opposition has voiced their dissent, emphasizing that the nominations should only be made after a government is formed. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has declared their intention to challenge the nominations in the Supreme Court if they are implemented. Iltija Mufti, a member of the PDP, has drawn parallels to the disputed 1987 elections, which triggered widespread unrest in J&K.
This controversy highlights the tensions surrounding the elections and the political landscape in J&K. The BJP's move to nominate members before the results are announced has fueled accusations of manipulation and has raised concerns about the fairness of the electoral process. The outcome of this controversy will have significant implications for the future of J&K politics.