B L Saraf
Mehbooba Mufti has won Anantnag Assembly by -election to retain the C M chair. That an incumbent political functionary, who combines in himself / herself supreme executive authority, comes out a winner in an interim poll is, generally, a foregone conclusion.So,there is nothing special about C M Mehbooba’s present win. That, however, does not detract from her proven credentials to be a winner at the hustings . Except noticing that she has won in alliance with BJP, this election doesn’t call for a hair splitting analysis. But then a comment on the governance challenges, she may have to contend with, is, eminently, desirable.
Miss Mufti entered the state Assembly on Congress ticket in 1996, via Bijebehara – an honour Kashmiris denied to her father, late Mufti Mohammad Saeed, while he was in Congress. That gave Mehbooba a head start in the Valley’s political arena : which stood in good stead for her when the political scene turned topsy – turvy in the Valley.
Ms Mehbooba is, undoubtedly, blessed with political acumen and a sensitive antenna which helps her to smell the developing trend, well in time. Her sense to relate it to the situations, with a telling effect, is borne out by her political life that blossomed at the turn of the century, when she bode farewell to the Congress and became instrumental in creating PD P. Her trade mark photograph, covered in greens, wiping out tears of a wailing relative of a slain militant still loams in front of a common Kashmiri. The scene, indeed, heralded her arrival to the political field in a completely new Avatar. Ms Muti had shed her Congress baggage. And, as an astute politician, she kept on repeating the exercise so that people in the Valley didn’t miss it. Reading the pulse of people and displaying a deft political sense, she indulged the separatists to the extent that she earned for herself a sobriquet of “soft separatist”.
Post 2014 elections, we have seen a different Mehbooba. That image got strengthened when she occupied the CM seat. Undoubtedly, she made certain moves which gladdened the heart of a nationalist. After the Bijbehara attack on security forces, she was quick to acknowledge the martyrdom of BSF personnel who lost lives in the terrorist act. Mehbooba, as a politician has evolved from a position wherefrom she would miss no opportunity to romanticize the criminal act of a local youth, to the one which makes her deprecate such tendencies.
Mufti Saeed as the CM in 2002 and Mehbooba as the Party president, did initiate measures which created an impression on the displaced community. Construction of dwelling places for the displaced persons in the Valley and PDP’s support to the Temple and Shrine Protection Bill in the last Assembly, were such measures. CM Mehbooba’s stand taken against the unreasonable stance of the separatists that the displaced Pandits should revert back to their old places, on return to the Valley, has been duly appreciated. Her snub to the separatists by bringing in Pigeon – Cat analogy is well taken. Apart from rebutting the argument, this statement rubbishes those who shout that Pandits were made to ” migrate on the machinations of someone high in the State Government.”
Ms Mufti mingling, unhesitatingly, with the devotees in Tulla Mulla, a week back, and offering customary milk and flowers to the Deity may endear her to the Pandits.
Mehbooba at the helm, people look forward to her all out push for the good governance. She should ensure political and economical empowerment of the neglected sections of the society and address the inter- regional issues which bedevil mutual relations. Local self Government and Panchayat Raj Institutions must be statutorily strengthened and made functionally autonomous. Now that Ms Mufti has, by this win, got an approval of sorts from the Valley people, she should display a political skill to manage the ” North Pole – South Pole alliance.” BJP must play its part .
The displaced Pandits, POK and West Pakistani Refugees face existential issues.It is time to address them in right earnestness. There is a talk about the return of Pandits to the Valley. Various plans are afloat. Being a sensitive issue,it must be dealt with utmost care and caution. Cooperation of all stake holders is desirable for a durable and fairly acceptable resolution of the issue. Government’s decision to have transitional accommodation, in the Valley, for the returning Pandits, till they find suitable place to live safe and secure, is a well come development. Pandits confidence in the Government must be restored, which, presently, is at the lowest ebb. Enactment of law for the protection of Hindu Temples and Shrines in Kashmir could be a big CBM.
A disturbing trend is visible in the Valley where educated young boys, from well to do families, get lured to the militancy. This adds to the JK’s existing complexities. Our political landscape is woven around many conflicting narratives. Ms Mufti will have to address the issue in its entirety. She can certainly de-romanticize part of the narrative by addressing bread and butter issues of a common man. Regard for human rights and democratic values may prove helpful.
(The author is former Principal District & Sessions Judge)
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