This is a historic election in Jammu and Kashmir, the first assembly polls since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. With more than 40% of the candidates running as independents, could they play the role of spoiler? Will any party secure a full majority? Who holds the real power in Kashmir? What are the prospects for the PDP and NC? And how has the abrogation of Article 370 changed the valley? Most importantly, what do the people of Kashmir want?

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by two seasoned journalists from Kashmir who have covered the valley extensively for decades. Ahmed Ali Fayyaz, a journalist with The Times of India, and Rashid Rahil, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Mail.

Ahmed Ali Fayyaz sees an edge for the NC, predicting a hung assembly, and believes government formation is unlikely without Congress or NC's help. Rashid Rahil believes the PDP is gearing up and could perform well. Both journalists also discuss how elections in Kashmir have evolved and how people vote.

They dive into the rigging of the 1987 elections and how it changed the valley forever. The conversation also touches on former Jamaat leaders contesting in these elections and what Engineer Rashid's party might achieve in the polls.

00:00 - Introduction

01:07 - Kashmir’s Political Dynamics

06:45 - NC’s Advantage in J&K Polls?

08:57 - NC-Congress Alliance

14:47 - Gupkar Alliance Collapse

20:52 - Kashmir’s Complex Alliances

26:18 - J&K Past Elections Rewind

37:10 - Farooq's Entry into J&K Politics

41:30 - Ex-Militants in Electoral Process

45:05 - Politics of Power

48:06 - Why is Omar Contesting from 2 Seats?

53:45 - Why is Mehbooba Mufti Not Contesting?

56:42 - From ‘Azadi’ to Democracy

01:04:14 - Pakistan’s Interference in J&K Polls

01:07:06 - Farooq Abdullah’s Legacy

01:08:30 - Why Omar Removed His Skull Cap

01:12:03 - Role of the LG in J&K

01:14:14 - Ram Madhav’s Gameplan

01:16:30 - Impact of Jammu Terror Attacks

01:19:30 - Anti-Modi Sentiment in J&K?

01:24:03 - Will Pandits Return to the Valley

Talat Majid, an independent candidate from Pulwama backed by Jamaat-e-Islami, is emerging as a significant political figure in Jammu and Kashmir. With deep connections to the local community, Majid has been advocating for the people of Pulwama, pushing for solutions to key issues like unemployment, education, and the disenfranchisement of Kashmiri youth. His candidacy reflects Jamaat's continued influence in the region, particularly in its focus on socio-economic progress for the valley. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Talat Majid discusses why Jamaat-e-Islami has shifted its long-standing stance of boycotting elections and is now opting to engage in the electoral process. He points to Engineer Rashid's electoral win as a pivotal moment that influenced Jamaat’s decision and notes that he remains open to forming political alliances in the future. Majid also emphasizes the urgent need for improved education and employment opportunities in Kashmir, stressing that the region's youth are ready to take part in the upcoming elections. In addition, he tackles critical topics like the abrogation of Article 370, explaining the prevailing sentiment around it. He further addresses the Kashmiri Pandit exodus, asserting that only Jamaat-e-Islami can successfully bring Kashmiri Hindus back to the valley.

00:00 - Coming Up 01:16 - Introduction 02:42 - Pulwama Terror Attack 05:24 - Independent Candidates in J&K Elections 11:58 - Omar Abdullah vs. Jamaat 17:02 - Election Boycotts in J&K 19:40 - Moderates in Jamaat-e-Islami 24:24 - Ban on Jamaat-e-Islami 30:28 - Abrogation of Article 370 31:30 - Political Parties Uneasy with Engineer Rashid? 32:24 - Majid's Vision for Change 34:40 - BJP's Kashmir Narrative 38:52 - Majid's Election Promises 44:02 - The 'Azadi' Sentiment 48:43 - Kashmiri Pandits Exodus 51:40 - Politics of Fear in Kashmir 54:13 - Which Party Will Jamaat-e-Islami Support?

Waheed ur Rehman Para is the PDP's candidate from the Pulwama constituency and currently serves as the Youth Wing President of the PDP. He is considered a close aide of former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Para spent 19 months in jail on allegations of terror links. In 2020, young PDP leader won the DDC elections while being in NIA's custody.

In an episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Para discusses the changes in the valley since the abrogation of Article 370. He mentions that Kashmiri youth are seeking a dignified place in Indian democracy.

Para also addresses PDP's prospects in the J&K polls and the entry of former Jamaat members into the electoral fray. Additionally, he speaks out about the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits and the influence of Pakistan in the valley. He also speaks about his jail time and how it has changed his perspective towards politics.

(00:00) Introduction

(00:47) Time in Jail Under UAPA

(03:37) What Changed After 5th Aug 2019

(05:33) Family Ties with Muftis

(09:00) Kashmiri Identity

(14:45) What Kashmiris Want

(17:56) Kashmiri Leaders' Detention

(20:09) Mainstream Politics

(22:59) Article 370 Abrogation

(24:32) Kashmiri Pandits' Exodus

(28:36) Yale University Program

(29:01) Contest in Pulwama

(30:02) Mehbooba Mufti's Plan

(35:55) Gupkar Alliance Collapse

(40:44) Mehbooba vs. Omar

(42:10) Engineer Rashid's Win in LS

(44:22) How 1987 Rigged Polls Changed J&K

(46:49) Independents in J&K Polls

(51:29) Pak Interfering in J&K Polls?

(53:17) What Does Pulwama's Youth Want

(56:12) Hung Assembly Situation

Lieutenant General PC Nair (Retd.) is a distinguished retired officer of the Indian Army with a career spanning over four decades. He served as the Director General of the Assam Rifles, India’s oldest paramilitary force, where he played a crucial role in counter-insurgency operations in the North-East region.

Lt Gen Nair (Retd) has extensive expertise in dealing with insurgency, tribal dynamics, and border security. He is also known for his deep understanding of India’s internal security challenges, especially in volatile regions like Manipur, Nagaland, and Jammu & Kashmir,

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Lt. Gen. PC Nair discusses the tribal dynamics in Manipur, explaining how the Meitei, Kuki, and Naga communities each have their armed factions. He describes how the unrest in Manipur started over land rights, triggered by the High Court's decision to grant tribal status to the Meiteis, and how the violence grew.

Lt. Gen. Nair also condemned the looting of police armouries in the state and highlighted the Assam Rifles’ critical role in managing the unrest, noting their efforts helped prevent the situation from getting worse. He further explained how instability in Myanmar has contributed to the ongoing crisis in Manipur.

(00:00) Introduction

(01:14) Manipur's Current Situation

(02:58) Looted Arms in Manipur

(04:50) Origins of the Manipur Violence

(08:31) Kuki-Meitei Divide

(12:29) Reasons Behind Manipur Crisis

(14:22) Security Forces' Role

(16:37) Violence Despite Heavy Security

(18:45) Assam Rifles Under Fire

(23:27) Assam Rifles vs. Manipur Police

(25:34) Myanmar's Role in the Violence

(29:23) Scale of Violence

(32:27) Illegal Poppy Cultivation

(39:02) Arms Import into India

(41:02) What Fueled the Violence

(43:57) Solutions to Stop the Violence

(48:52) Has Manipur Been Ignored?

(49:59) Assam Rifles' Role in China Border Conflict

(53:19) Bangladesh Security Situation

(55:15) Bangladesh Crisis

(56:22) Bangladesh Crisis & Indian Borders

(58:07) Elections in J&K

(59:17) Insurgency in J&K

Sajad Gani Lone leads the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference. He has served as an MLA for the Handwara constituency and was a minister in the PDP-BJP government. He is the youngest son of the Kashmiri separatist leader, Abdul Gani Lone.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Sajad Lone contested from the Baramulla constituency but lost to independent candidate Engineer Rashid. Now, Sajad's party is contesting the Jammu & Kashmir assembly polls and He is running from Handwara and Kupwara, the only two seats his party won in the 2014 elections.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sajad Gani Lone talks about 'Naya Kashmir' and what the upcoming elections mean for the valley after the abrogation of Article 370. He believes the current peace in the valley is 'superficial' and that the 'Azadi' sentiment has just gone underground.

Sajad welcomes ex-Jamaat members running as independents in the J&K elections, which will be held after a decade. He also insists that Yasin Malik did not receive a fair trial. Additionally, he blames the Abdullah family for rigging the 1987 elections, which he says triggered instability and militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.

(00:00) Introduction

(01:01) Elections in J&K

(02:40) Sajad's Twitter Bio

(03:43) Article 370 & 35A

(07:30) Abdul Gani Lone Assassination

(11:05) Kashmiri Pandits' Exodus

(13:31) Pakistan's Support to Hurriyat

(14:35) Pakistani Wife Facing Visa Issues

(19:08) India-Pakistan Talks

(21:15) Ties with PDP & NC

(25:34) Ex-Jamaat Leaders in J&K Polls

(28:11) Independents in J&K Polls

(31:14) Arrest Post Article 370 Abrogation

(33:02) Ties with Yasin Malik

(35:42) Days Before Article 370 Abrogation

(39:02) Peace in Kashmir

(41:32) Federalism in India

(47:33) Public Safety Act

(49:18) On Abdullah Family

(51:18) Kashmiri Pandits

(56:38) Azadi Sentiment in Kashmir

(57:50) Engineer Rashid's LS Win

(59:29) What Should the Centre Do in J&K

(1:02:06) Meeting with Father in Jail

(1:06:28) Being a Kashmiri in Delhi

(1:07:45) Yasin Malik's Trial

(1:12:56) Statehood for J&K

Omar Abdullah, an Indian politician and former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, has led the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference since 2009. He was the last Leader of the Opposition in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly before its dissolution in 2018. He has served twice as an MP for Srinagar and was briefly a Union Minister of State for External Affairs in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government, resigning in 2002 to focus on party matters. Omar was detained under the Public Safety Act in February 2020, with the order revoked in March of the same year.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Omar Abdullah discusses his decision to contest two seats in the upcoming J&K Assembly elections. He also talks about his party's alliance with Congress and explains why the Gupkar Alliance with the PDP failed. He claims that the current J&K Legislative Council is compromised, though he believes it will be strengthened.

The former J&K CM criticizes the abrogation of Article 370 and calls Kashmir's domicile laws the weakest in India. He also accuses the BJP of failing to prevent terror attacks in the South of Pir Panjal. Additionally, Omar shares his views on Afzal Guru's execution, opposing capital punishment. He also emphasizes his party's commitment to bringing Pandits back to the valley.

(0:00) Coming Up

(1:27) Introduction

(2:14) Omar Contesting in Two Seats

(7:55) J&K Assembly: Empowered or Compromised?

(10:00) 'Independent' Candidates in Kashmir

(11:25) Where Does The BJP Stand?

(13:15) Should India Normalize Relations with Pak?

(15:15) Separatism in 'Naya Kashmir'

(20:31) Congress-NC Alliance

(24:50) The Battle For Jammu

(26:48) Kashmir's Domicile Laws

(34:00) Will Pandits Go Back To Kashmir?

(35:22) The IC-814 Saga

(37:40) Afzal Guru's Execution

(39:50) Terror Attacks in Jammu

(44:30) J&K Floods 2014

(46:00) Will NC 'Undo' Article 370?

(49:00) NC-PDP Alliance Split

(53:55) Omar Abdullah's Detention

(57:380 Lunch With the Gandhis

(1:01:00) US Making Inroads in Kashmir?

(1:03:16) Farooq Abdullah's Role Within NC

Nawazuddin Siddiqui is a prominent Indian actor recognized for his contributions to Hindi cinema. He has delivered notable performances in films like Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), The Lunchbox (2013), Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016), and Manto (2018) among others. His work has earned him significant acclaim, with eight of his films being showcased at the Cannes Film Festival. Nawazuddin has also received several prestigious awards, including a National Film Award, a Filmfare Award, and two Asia Pacific Screen Awards.

In this episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Nawazuddin Siddiqui opens up about his journey in Bollywood, sharing the struggles he faced in getting roles and how people often doubted he would ever become a hero. The acclaimed actor also talks about the challenges his films face in securing screenings and his interest in producing movies in the future. Nawaz also reflects on his experiences working on the cult classic role of Faizal Khan in Gangs of Wasseypur and shares how he met with followers of the 'real' Faizal Khan to perfect the role. He also offers his perspective on why the second season of Sacred Games fell short of audience expectations.

In this candid interview, Nawazuddin Siddiqui shares his thoughts on the actors and directors who inspire him. He discusses the contrast between commercial and artistic films in Bollywood and how conflict often influences art. He also reflects on his rural upbringing and his mother's reaction to seeing him on the big screen.

(00:00) Introduction

(01:20) Nawazuddin's Definition of Success

(08:40) Nawazuddin's Cinema & Struggles

(16:55) NSD Days

(21:55) Commercial Cinema vs. Alternate Cinema

(26:44) Film Promotions

(28:25) Conflict Reflects in Art

(30:23) Rural Background

(31:39) Gangs of Wasseypur

(36:02) Nawaz's Favourites

(42:17) Films That Impacted Nawazuddin Siddiqui

(43:19) Small Roles

(45:34) Favourite Co-Actors

(46:44) Sacred Games

(51:52) Unexplored Human Emotions in Performance

(55:57) Upcoming Projects

(01:00:50) Family's Role in Life

(01:02:13) Nawaz's Love for Desert

(01:03:52) New Filmmakers That Inspire

Lieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey (Retd), is a former Commandant of the Army War College, Mhow, and an ex-Commander of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps (XV). He previously served as the first Director General of the Territorial Army of the Indian Army.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Lt. Gen. Pandey discusses Jammu & Kashmir's current security and political landscape. He talks about how Kashmiris are increasingly rejecting terrorism and addresses the challenges that lay ahead in the upcoming assembly elections. The general also touches on the potential for Pakistani interference in the electoral process and considers how the abrogation of Article 370 could become a key election issue.

Additionally, Lt. Gen. Pandey shares his perspective on the recent terror attacks in Jammu, highlighting the difficulties that the region's tough terrain presents for security forces. This conversation offers valuable insights into the evolving situation in Jammu & Kashmir and its broader implications for India's security.

(00:00) Coming Up

(01:31) Introduction

(02:12) Upcoming J&K Assembly Elections

(04:13) Abrogation of Article 370

(09:39) Terror Attacks in South Pir Panjal

(20:10) Security Challenges In J&K

(29:09) Stone Pelting in Lal Chowk

(33:45) Corps Commander Responsibilities

(37:02) How Integrated Security Works in J&K

(43:30) Article 370 as a Political Issue?

(48:15) India-Pakistan Dialogue

(55:20) Army's Communication Strategy

(58:23) Media Engagement Rules

(01:02:53) Near-Death Experience

(01:06:48) Going Back to Civilian Life

(01:09:15) Agnipath Scheme Controversy

(01:15:55) Has Peace Returned in the Valley?