J&K: On the cusp of change, but challenges remain for political parties

The unstated premise is that existing political parties will now face a big challenge - both from locals and 'outsiders'

If the writing down of Article 370 that bestowed special status on Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) was greeted with anger, political parties in the region are incandescent at the Union government’s announcement that anyone ordinarily living in J&K can now enrol as a voter there.

National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah has called an all-party meeting on Monday to address the issue and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the move is an extension of the “tactical rigging process” that started with the “unconstitutional and illegal delimitation process” in J&K.

“The sole aim of the Government of India is