The Battle for Habba Kadal Seat: BJP's Strategic Move with Kashmiri Pandit Candidate in a Muslim-Dominated Area

A Decade-Long Election Stir in Srinagar's Habba Kadal Seat - The announcement of BJP fielding Kashmiri Pandit Ashok Bhat in the Habba Kadal seat has created a stir in Kashmir's electoral scene. Despite the seat being predominantly Muslim, BJP's choice of a Kashmiri Pandit candidate signals a new strategic approach.

Current Status of Kashmiri Pandits - There are only 455 Kashmiri Pandits in Srinagar and 6,514 in all of Kashmir. In Habba Kadal, only three to four Kashmiri Pandit families reside. Given this demographic, why has BJP chosen to field a Kashmiri Pandit in this constituency?

BJP's Strategy and Electoral History - The electoral history of Habba Kadal adds an intriguing layer. In 1996, National Conference's Kashmiri Pandit Pyare Lal Handoo won the seat. In 2002, Independent candidate Raman Mattu, also a Kashmiri Pandit, secured victory. However, in 2008 and 2014, the seat was won by National Conference's Shamim Firdous. This history shows that Kashmiri Pandit candidates do receive votes when they contest elections.

BJP's Electoral Strategy - By fielding Kashmiri Pandit candidate Ashok Bhat, BJP aims to convey its commitment to the Kashmiri Pandit community and attempt to mobilize the displaced Kashmiri Pandit vote bank. Senior BJP leaders, including Jitendra Singh, are actively campaigning for Bhat, asserting that Prime Minister Modi's policies have positively transformed Kashmir, which will benefit the party in the elections.

Local Response - A survey conducted among local voters reveals that they are focusing on the party's performance and the candidate's image as key factors for their votes. This approach suggests that BJP's strategy to highlight Kashmiri Pandit issues and attract their votes is a significant part of their campaign.