Number Theory: Will welfare be a crucial plank in J&K elections?

The Union territory (UT) of Jammu & Kashmir is in the midst of its first assembly elections. Given the erstwhile state’s – it became a UT in 2019 – turbulent political history, the ongoing elections are largely seen as a debate on larger political issues such as the abrogation of Article 370 and the restoration of statehood for Jammu & Kashmir. Without prejudice to any of these issues, there is another question to be asked about the elections. How much of a plank would welfare be in Jammu & Kashmir? Here is what an HT analysis of official statistics shows.