More than PAGD, Jammu based political outfits have become a pain for BJP

The District Development Council (DDC) polls are the first elections held in Jammu and Kashmir after abrogation of Article 370. The newly formed Union Territory is witnessing some unusual politics since the fateful day of August 5, 2019. Majority of the regional political parties in Kashmir province have opposed the government’s August 5 move and their leaders, including three former chief ministers, were detained for many months. These regional parties of J&K have formed People’s Alliance for the Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) which includes the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party (PDP), Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (PC), the National Conference and the Congress party which is a national party. https://jknewsline.com/feel-the-solace-and-calm-of-jammu/ The Gupkar Alliance appears as the only opposition in J&K to BJP but the party is facing challenges in Jammu, from many small and newly-made parties. A major difference between PAGD and these parties have celebrated the BJP government’s August 5 move. Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan (DSS) is formed by former BJP leader Lal Singh who was also a minister in the last BJP-PDP government in the erstwhile state. https://twitter.com/ChLalSinghDSS/status/1020942163474083840 Another significant party is IkkJutt Jammu, which was working as a social organisation earlier. Ankur Sharma, president of IkkJutt Jammu believes that for the last seventy years, the Central government has a consistent policy to run J&K through Kashmir. He said that the BJP also adopted the same policy. https://twitter.com/IkkJutt_Jammu/status/1327152647183470592 These parties demand separate Jammu state and are contesting on the seats of Jammu region alone. Choudhary Lal Singh says that Jammu people have been made scapegoats and the new laws will make the people of Jammu homeless. Harsh Dev Singh, Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party believes that the BJP has proved to be a total failure. His party is also fighting the DDC polls on the seats of Jammu. Harsh says that they supported the abrogation of Article 370 hoping that something good will happen and Jammu will be getting a deserving share. The first phase of the election started on Saturday at 7 am. The elections will be held in eight phases and will end on December 19. These results will be declared by December 22. https://jknewsline.com/has-jammu-actually-gained-anything-since-abrogation-of-article-370/