Politics of Jammu and Kashmir

The state of Jammu and Kashmir has historically consisted of four political regions. Ladakh towards the east bordering China, Jammu towards the south bordering the states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Pakistan, Kashmir Valley towards the west bordering Pakistan administered Kashmir and Baltistan areas towards the North bordering Xinjiang and Gilgit Baltistan. Baltistan and a part of Kashmir are under Pakistan control. Aksai Chin, claimed by India to be a part of Ladakh, is under Chinese control, while the rest is under Indian control. Pakistan and Indian controlled parts are separated by Line of Control (LOC).

Like all the states of India, Indian administered parts of Jammu & Kashmir have a multi-party democratic system of governance. Main political parties include the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (NC), the Indian National Congress (Congress), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Presently, PDP with 28 seats is the 1st largest and Bharatiya Janata Party with 25 seats is the second largest party in 2014 election in the 87-member house.