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India's BJP seeks gains in Kashmir elections | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Voters are going to the polls in India's Jammu and Kashmir state where Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP is trying to win power for the first time. | |
More than a million people are eligible to vote in the first of five phases in staggered elections for the Muslim-majority state's 87 assembly seats. | |
The disputed Kashmir region is claimed by both India and Pakistan. | The disputed Kashmir region is claimed by both India and Pakistan. |
It has been a flashpoint for more than 60 years and the rivals have fought two wars over the region. | It has been a flashpoint for more than 60 years and the rivals have fought two wars over the region. |
Thousands of soldiers were deployed in and around polling stations as voting began early on Tuesday in 15 seats, amid fears of street protests and militant attacks. | Thousands of soldiers were deployed in and around polling stations as voting began early on Tuesday in 15 seats, amid fears of street protests and militant attacks. |
Results are due on 23 December. | |
Voting is also going in the central state of Jharkhand, where the BJP is also attempting to gain power. | Voting is also going in the central state of Jharkhand, where the BJP is also attempting to gain power. |
Boycott call | Boycott call |
Two regional parties dominate politics in Indian-administered Kashmir - the governing National Conference and the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP). | |
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder, reporting from Srinagar, says the BJP has never been a serious player and it has a non-existent base in the Muslim-dominated Kashmir Valley, given its hardline views on the state's tenuous relationship with India. | |
But under Mr Modi, who swept to power in the May general elections, the BJP is making an attempt to capture the state. | |
Separatist hardliners have called for a boycott of the vote, a move that many believe could help the BJP. | Separatist hardliners have called for a boycott of the vote, a move that many believe could help the BJP. |
Hindus are a minority in Kashmir, but their votes become crucial if Muslims stay at home in protest on polling day. | Hindus are a minority in Kashmir, but their votes become crucial if Muslims stay at home in protest on polling day. |
But some analysts say that it will not be easy for the BJP to win the polls. | But some analysts say that it will not be easy for the BJP to win the polls. |
"The BJP has always been very proactive in Kashmir, but the media blitzkrieg and the euphoria [this time around] could boomerang to the advantage of the regional parties," political analyst Sheikh Showkat Hussain told the AFP news agency. | "The BJP has always been very proactive in Kashmir, but the media blitzkrieg and the euphoria [this time around] could boomerang to the advantage of the regional parties," political analyst Sheikh Showkat Hussain told the AFP news agency. |