The Kashmir Jamaat-e-Islami's participation in the Assembly election in the valley after many years is said to have given new impetus to voter turnout, as Kokpara village, located within the Kulgam assembly constituency, which had seen negligible turnout in previous elections, witnessed half of the votes being cast in four hours.
This polling booth falls under the Bogam area, a stronghold of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), a political and socio-religious group recently re-engaging in electoral politics after a long hiatus, The Indian Express reported.
The Jamaat-e-Islami, previously banned and known for its election boycott calls, is now backing four independent candidates in the first phase of this election, with a total of ten candidates supported across all phases.
The Jamaat's influence was clearly visible during a major rally held in Kokpara, which drew thousands of participants. This rally marked a significant show of strength for the Jamaat, indicating a shift in local political dynamics.
The Kulgam assembly seat is witnessing a fierce contest this election cycle. The main contenders include M Y Tarigami, a prominent communist leader supported by the National Conference-Congress alliance; Jamaat-backed independent candidate Sayar Ahamd Reshi; and Mohammad Amin Dar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Jamaat's endorsement of Reshi has caused internal divisions within its ranks. Some supporters of the Jamaat have expressed discontent, viewing Reshi's candidacy as a betrayal of the party's long-standing stance against participating in elections, TIE report suggested.
Despite this, there are also supporters within the party who see the shift as a pragmatic response to changing political dynamics, believing that engaging in the electoral process is a way to address community issues.
By the end of the day, Kulgam recorded a voter turnout of 62.7 percent, a notable increase from previous years—58.44 percent in 2014 and 61.59 percent in 2008. This uptick in voter participation reflects the impact of Jamaat-e-Islami's renewed political activity.
In contrast, the enthusiasm observed in Kulgam was not mirrored in Pulwama, where the Jamaat is backing independent candidate Dr Talat Majeed. Majeed's challenge is against PDP's Waheed Parra and National Conference's Khalil Bandh, with the competition largely seen as a battle between the PDP and the NC.
For the Jamaat-e-Islami, re-entering the electoral arena after nearly forty years signifies a promising start, according to a former member now part of a panel managing the party’s affairs. The initial positive results are seen as a foundation for further improvement as the election progresses.