In Srinagar, in a growing trend over the last decade, Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a proliferation of "political start-ups" in the Valley, but these organizations have failed to make a significant impact during the elections, politicians and analysts said on Sunday.
The decades-long unrest in Kashmir has witnessed the emergence of several political parties and fronts, including the Nationalist People's Front of Jammu and Kashmir, Bharat Jodo Yatra, JK People's Movement, All Alliance Democratic Party of Jammu and Kashmir, the Jammu and Kashmir Workers' Party, Jammu. and the Kashmir Peace Party and the Awami Awaaz Party.
Many of them have either abstained from contesting the elections or faced defeat in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
Veteran politician and CPI(M) leader Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami said leaders of these new political ventures often start with a bang, enjoy patronage like security and other things, and then disappear like "lost planets when they are celebrated." elections".
Instead of creating free-floating political ventures, "we should focus on strengthening democratic institutions across Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
Echoing similar views, PDP leader Waheed Para said these startups have a "negative impact" on the democratic space and highlighted their lack of popular support and legitimacy.
Para said that these new political enterprises only demolish and discredit the democratic space. "The recent Lok Sabha election has clearly shown them the mirror," he added.
In a veiled reference to businessman-turned-politician Altaf Bukhari's JK Apni party and the DPAP led by veteran politician Ghulam Nabi Azad, Para said almost three parties were created through the dissolution of the PDP, which only led to the demolition of the space democracy in Kashmir and discrediting. those who were left behind.
"The results reflect that only people should have the right to choose and choose. Parties created in a hybrid way do not enjoy popular support or legitimacy," he added.
Prominent Kashmiri Pandit leader and lawyer Titoo Ganjoo said that after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, new top-down political ventures emerged in Jammu and Kashmir that lack organic growth and fail to resonate with the local population. .
"These new entities were predominantly composed of disenchanted politicians engaged in exploratory efforts, ultimately doomed to fail in their attempt to gain significant political traction," he said, adding that these new ventures never pose a challenge to the established political order.
The leadership of these new political ventures, intended to be driven by some government agencies, failed to reflect the genuine aspirations of the local population, Ganjoo added.
These leaders show a significant disconnect from the realities of the region, focusing more on claiming political relevance than addressing the core problems facing people, according to prominent social activist Firdous.
Ganjoo argued that the behavior and conduct of these leaders highlight their opportunistic tendencies and lack of substantive commitment to the long-term stability and development of the region.
"Their efforts were perceived as superficial and selfish, failing to foster genuine political commitment or meaningful change," he said, adding that the lack of inspiring leadership and substantive direction has left the region in a state of hopeless disillusionment. a coherent or convincing solution. vision of the future that emerges from these emerging political enterprises.
Dr Touseef Bhatt, a socio-environmental activist, said that despite representing a new wave of political innovation in a conflict-ridden region, political startups in Kashmir face challenges in making a significant impact due to their limited experience and resources.
Its dependence on external funding raises concerns about its autonomy and long-term sustainability in a volatile political environment, he said.
While these startups aim to engage Kashmiri youth in the political process and address local concerns, questions remain over their potential influence on the existing political dynamics and peace process in the region.
As Kashmir grapples with current challenges and aspirations for change, the fate of political startups in the region remains uncertain, raising questions about their ability to bring about meaningful political change.
The decades-long unrest in Kashmir has witnessed the emergence of several political parties and fronts, including the Nationalist People's Front of Jammu and Kashmir, Bharat Jodo Yatra, JK People's Movement, All Alliance Democratic Party of Jammu and Kashmir, the Jammu and Kashmir Workers' Party, Jammu. and the Kashmir Peace Party and the Awami Awaaz Party.
Many of them have either abstained from contesting the elections or faced defeat in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
Veteran politician and CPI(M) leader Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami said leaders of these new political ventures often start with a bang, enjoy patronage like security and other things, and then disappear like "lost planets when they are celebrated." elections".
Instead of creating free-floating political ventures, "we should focus on strengthening democratic institutions across Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
Echoing similar views, PDP leader Waheed Para said these startups have a "negative impact" on the democratic space and highlighted their lack of popular support and legitimacy.
Para said that these new political enterprises only demolish and discredit the democratic space. "The recent Lok Sabha election has clearly shown them the mirror," he added.
In a veiled reference to businessman-turned-politician Altaf Bukhari's JK Apni party and the DPAP led by veteran politician Ghulam Nabi Azad, Para said almost three parties were created through the dissolution of the PDP, which only led to the demolition of the space democracy in Kashmir and discrediting. those who were left behind.
"The results reflect that only people should have the right to choose and choose. Parties created in a hybrid way do not enjoy popular support or legitimacy," he added.
Prominent Kashmiri Pandit leader and lawyer Titoo Ganjoo said that after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, new top-down political ventures emerged in Jammu and Kashmir that lack organic growth and fail to resonate with the local population. .
"These new entities were predominantly composed of disenchanted politicians engaged in exploratory efforts, ultimately doomed to fail in their attempt to gain significant political traction," he said, adding that these new ventures never pose a challenge to the established political order.
The leadership of these new political ventures, intended to be driven by some government agencies, failed to reflect the genuine aspirations of the local population, Ganjoo added.
These leaders show a significant disconnect from the realities of the region, focusing more on claiming political relevance than addressing the core problems facing people, according to prominent social activist Firdous.
Ganjoo argued that the behavior and conduct of these leaders highlight their opportunistic tendencies and lack of substantive commitment to the long-term stability and development of the region.
"Their efforts were perceived as superficial and selfish, failing to foster genuine political commitment or meaningful change," he said, adding that the lack of inspiring leadership and substantive direction has left the region in a state of hopeless disillusionment. a coherent or convincing solution. vision of the future that emerges from these emerging political enterprises.
Dr Touseef Bhatt, a socio-environmental activist, said that despite representing a new wave of political innovation in a conflict-ridden region, political startups in Kashmir face challenges in making a significant impact due to their limited experience and resources.
Its dependence on external funding raises concerns about its autonomy and long-term sustainability in a volatile political environment, he said.
While these startups aim to engage Kashmiri youth in the political process and address local concerns, questions remain over their potential influence on the existing political dynamics and peace process in the region.
As Kashmir grapples with current challenges and aspirations for change, the fate of political startups in the region remains uncertain, raising questions about their ability to bring about meaningful political change.
