The state of Jammu and Kashmir has historically consisted of four political regions. Ladakh towards the east bordering China, Jammu towards the south bordering India and Pakistan, Kashmir Valley towards the east bordering Pakistan and Baltistan areas towards the North bordering China and Pakistan. Baltistan and a part of Kashmir Valley 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 controlled parts of Jammu and Kashmir have a multi-party democratic system of governance. Main political parties include the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, the Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party (PDP). Presently, the National Conference and Indian National Congress make up the majority in the state legislature ,with 28 and 17 seats respectively in the 87-member house. Omar Abdullah (NC)has been sworn in as the CM on January 5 with a Congress deputy-CM.
The Constitution of India grants Jammu and Kashmir special autonomous status as a temporary provision through Article 370. However, some Muslim Kashmiris demand greater autonomy and sovereignty and some even demand independence from India, while some non-Muslims would like to see the state fully integrated into India. A part of Kashmiri Muslims also have inclination towards Pakistan since a large part of Kashmir is under Pakistan Control. There has also been a number of separatist movements, both political and militant, mostly led by hardline Muslim leaders. However, in recent years Kashmiri Muslims have been leaning towards being in India due to economic reasons.[1]
Jammu and Kashmir is the only Indian state that has its own flag. Designed by the Government of India, the state flag of Jammu and Kashmir is the native plough on a red background which is a symbol of labour. The three stripes represent the three administrative divisions of the state, namely Jammu, Valley of Kashmir, and Ladakh.[2]
Furthermore a 2008 report by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees determined that Indian administered Kashmir is only 'Partly free'.[3]
The current state government was elected in the 2008 elections. The opposition Jammu & Kashmir National Conference defeated the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) and formed a coalition with the PDP's former partners, the Indian National Congress.
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