They had ruled the campaigns in Jammu and Kashmir during polls in 2008 and again this year during parliamentary elections, but as the state heads once more to the hustings, the slogans of discontent and dissent of the earlier political contests have been overshadowed by calls for development.
Polls in the state have invariably seen the various rivals seek votes upon calls for 'Greater Autonomy', 'Self-rule', etc. But, ahead of the Assembly elections which kicks off on November 25, all parties, both national and regional, have been trying to woo voters on the "development" plank.
For example, the ruling National Conference (NC) -- which had sought votes in 2008 and in 2014 on calls for 'Greater Autonomy', and withdrawal of AFSPA and Art. 370, among others -- has replaced those slogans with the promise of development as it showcases Omar Abdullah's chief ministership from 2009- 2014 as a model one for the state.
Its partner in the government which has, however, decided to contest the elections alone this time, Congress, too, is pitching for growth and prosperity and is reminding people of the 'Khushal Jammu and Kashmir' under Ghulam Nabi Azad's term as chief minister between 2006 and 2008.
In earlier elections, Congress had batted strongly for regional councils for the three regions, but it has discarded those slogans with the prime focus now on "development".
Not to be outdone, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which had pushed its cause on the rhetoric of 'self rule', dual currency and soft borders in 2008, has chosen not to invoke those slogans. It is looking to win the polls through talk of 'healing touch' and 'peace and development with dignity' even as it highlights the period when Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed was the J-K chief minister.
Coming to BJP, which managed to win three of the six Lok Sabha seats in the state in the 2014 general elections with its slogan of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', it is going to the public with the slogan of 'Development' while counting on the Narendra Modi factor.
