The message that one gets from the participation of Kashmiris this time is very clear – that their faith in the democratic process remains intact.

Unity between Leh and Kargil could well define the years to come.

Union home minister Shah has announced that the government will give the Paharis their long-pending ST status. Meanwhile, he also assured the Gujjars and Bakerwals that their reservation rights won't be diluted.

While Kashmiri parties are disappointed that six of the seven proposed new seats in the state assembly have been allocated to Jammu, Jammu parties were unhappy that Kashmir continues to have a greater share of total assembly seats.

Surviving in Kashmir politics has never been easy for parties. Although the difficulty has gone up several notches after the dilution of Article 370, mainstream parties have adopted flexible positions and taken timely decisions to stay afloat.

The first ever electoral exercise held in the erstwhile state since the scrapping of Article 370 evoked considerable interest among political watchers.

Mainstream parties have been rendered directionless after August 2019 with the central narrative of their politics – Kashmiri identity – being hit hard.

While the media has sold the story that Jammu and Ladakh are happy with the abrogation of the special constitutional status and state reorganisation, there are many concerns and apprehensions in these regions as well.

By denigrating mainstream politics in Kashmir, the Modi government at the Centre has created a dangerous vacuum, reversing the gains of the past couple of decades.