B L Saraf
PDP and BJP have retied the knot from where it got snapped on the demise of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, in Jan 2016, and, by the time this column reaches the reader, Miss Mehbooba, barring some unpredictable hiccups will be in the saddle heading an alliance Government. In the given situation it is a welcome development. J&K can least afford a long spell of Centre’s direct rule. Though some would, for justifiable reasons, lament the end of Governor’s rule.
Understandably, given the inherent contradictions in their core ideological beliefs, many in the state will not be enamored of PDP- BJP government formation. But then the arithmetic of numbers available in present Assembly has made this arrangement inevitable. However, it should surprise none. After all ‘cohabitation of strange bed fellows ‘is now an accepted idiom in every political lexicon. Nonetheless, the incumbent government will be blessed with one remarkable feature; that it represents almost every section of the populace in the state. That may, perhaps, offset the apparent incongruity in its formation. Then, it is a matter of great satisfaction that the installation of the elected Government will save us from witnessing a repeat of the disgraceful act of 1984, when we have had an all defectors Government.
Miss Mufti has shown a political nerve and bitten the bullet. Her nod to the restitution of PDP’s relationship with BJP can cut either way. Remember she is not Mufti Sayeed who could manage the fallout should the situation go other way. It is quite reassuring that BJP, in its latest National Executive meet in Delhi, has reiterated is commitment to the Agenda of Alliance signed with PDP when Mufti Sahib was present, consequent upon which alliance government was formed, in March, 2015.
Formation of political government couldn’t be delayed any more. We have seen that when the political class was playing games the militancy gained ground in the Valley, with a disturbing trend of educated youth jumping in. The absence of political players from the field made space available for them to step in. We hope the interregnum has made alliance partners wiser as how to govern J&K. Honey- moon time is over. They should concentrate on bread and butter issues of common man. It is not for them to raise issues which stand settled by the state Constitution and which fall in the domain of the Union Parliament, or have inter-national dimensions.
PDP will be wise to curb the tendency to indulge in theatrics and rock the boat. Heavy onus is on the Central Government to play with a straight bat. Its dealings with the state should be tempered with care, far sight and sensitivity. In Miss Mehbooba they have a chance to cultivate a creditable mainstream leadership in the Valley. The ‘mainstream politician’breed is fast dwindling. There is an impending need to expand and strengthen it. BJP will do good to the nation if it is alive to its limitations in the Valley and is not tempted to stretch itself, too fast and too artificially.
For PM Modi it is an opportunity to live up to to his image of a ” development man” and endear himself to the people by rebuilding the flood ravaged Valley and other parts of the state. It will allow him space and credentials to address the ‘political issue’ also. His engagement with Pakistan and the changing inter-national scene may come handy to the PM to implement Atal Behari Vajpyee’s policy of ” Insaaniyat and Kashmiriat” and see real peace returning to the state.
Coalition partners must listen to what PM Narrandra Modi has been saying on the national and the international platforms; that India in a country blessed with diversity – diversity in the beliefs of people and their food habits.
In his two month’s rule, Governor N N Vohra showed what governance means and how it can be delivered. He took decisions that kept hanging fire for years. Disbursement of financial assistance to the flood victims, implementation of free drug policy, dreadging of river Jhelum whose carrying capacity has drastically gone down, amendment to J&K Medical Education (Gazetted) Service Recruitment Rules to conform to the MCI norms, vacation of land at Toto ground and elsewhere by Army and putting in place the self – attestation policy for documents are examples, in this regard. He managed to keep administration on toes to fast track decisions – making on issues concerning public. Questions will be asked why did the elected Governments fail to do it in their tenure. Standard has been set which Mehbooba must keep up. Excuses won’t work.
Issues are to be prioritized. Employment to the youth, matters of infrastructure, humanitarian problem of West Pakistan and POJK Refugees, return and rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons and complaints of regional imbalance must be flagged for quick redressal. No quarter should be given to internal bickering. The stakes are, indeed, high in this North Pole – South Pole confluence. Its failure to deliver will mean further accentuation of religious and regional identities, and erosion of, already shrunk, mainstream political base.
(The author is Former Principal District & Session Judge)
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel