Scheduled Caste (SC) voters will play an important role in deciding the fate of the candidates during the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. Keeping this in mind, all the political parties are trying to woo the voters of this category. There are 90 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, out of which 7 seats are reserved for SC and 9 for Scheduled Tribes (ST). There are 20 seats in Jammu province in which the SC population is between 19 to 26 percent. This substantial population can decide the fate of unreserved candidates in these constituencies. Also, it can help any political party in forming the next government in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the 2011 census, Marh constituency has the highest number of SC voters at 42.55 per cent. Similarly, Bishnah has 41.95 per cent, Ramnagar 36.73 per cent, Suchetgarh 36.71 per cent, Akhnoor 31.29 per cent, Kathua 31.28 per cent and Ramgarh 30.48 per cent voters are from the SC community. ST reserved seats including Rajouri, Gulabgarh, Budhal, Mendhar, Surankot, Thanamandi (Jammu region), Gurez, Kokernag, Kangan (Kashmir region) will also play an important role in forming the next government in Jammu and Kashmir. The percentage of SC voters in these assembly constituencies is very low.
How is SC mentioned in BJP’s manifesto?
Political experts believe that voters on the 7 reserved seats will play a crucial factor for SC candidates representing various political parties. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s manifesto was released in Jammu on Friday by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. It focuses on reservation in promotions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in government services.
How was the equation of seats from Jammu and Kashmir
Let us tell you that in the last assembly elections, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won 28 seats, BJP 25, National Conference 15 and Congress 12 seats. This time Congress has formed an alliance with National Conference to contest the elections. Voting will be held in Jammu and Kashmir in three phases on 18 September, 25 September and 1 October. The results will be declared on 8 October. Before this, all political parties including BJP, Congress, PDP have started working on caste equations.
