Amit Kushari IAS (Retd)
The results of the Assembly elections are such that formation of a Government in J&K is quite tough and needs a conciliatory approach from all parties, specially the two big parties PDP & BJP. These two parties have a lot of ideological differences, but they certainly have one goal: to provide a clean development oriented Government for the people of the state. The electoral verdict shows that the people of Jammu have displayed a sense of unity and determination which was never seen before. They have listened to the call of the great Indian icon, Narendra Modi and have rejected the regional parties as well as the Congress party. Congress party did well in Ladakh and parts of Kashmir valley, surprising most poll observers, it has won twelve seats as against the common expectation of 6 or 7 seats. The two regional parties of Kashmir did fairly well and National Conference fared slightly better than what was apprehended. The National Conference has deep roots in rural Kashmir where people still remember Shiekh Abdullah, the Sher-e- Kashmir. In the olden days Sheikh Sahab was so popular in Kashmir that people had blind faith in him. People would say, “Even if he makes pumpkins and brinjals, the Sher-e-Kashmir will perform, he will perform (Al karey, wangun karey, Sher karey, Sher karey). Even today we could see the effect of this. Fighting against all odds, Omar Abdullah his grandson, could win the rural seat of Beerwah but he lost the urban seat of Sonawar. In the urban areas and among the educated Kashmiris, Mufti Sahab and his PDP is a mighty force. I had expected them to win 35 seats, but they won only 28, just 3 seats more than BJP. I understand some elements in PDP are against an alliance with BJP which is perceived as being pro Hindu. I hope good sense will prevail and Mufti Sahab will be able to join hands with BJP to form a Government which will be acceptable to the people of Kashmir and Jammu both. This time the people of Jammu expect that they will get a significant voice in the Government. Mufti Sahab should allow BJP to have a Deputy Chief Minister and after 3 or 3 -1/2 years allow BJP to have their Chief Minister. He should also allow 40% of the cabinet berths to go to BJP because Jammu division is 40% of J&K. If a Government like that could be made it can survive even though the verdict is so decisively divided. Jammu has absolutely no meeting grounds with Kashmir except for the memory of the Maharaja’s rule and it is very logical that the mandate will also be divided. In this scenario if PDP, NC, and Congress form a grand alliance with 55 seats, it will be perceived as totally anti Jammu. Not only will the Government be unstable with a hostile BJP Government at Delhi breathing down its neck, it will sooner or later lead to the break away of Jammu from J&K. A similar situation was witnessed in Pakistan in 1970 when determined East Pakistanis voted enbloc for Awami League. West Pakistanis tried to deprive East Pakistan but ultimately it led to the break away of East Pakistan from Pakistan with the active help of India.
If India can take away East Pakistan from a foreign country like Pakistan, taking away Jammu from the state of J&K would be a very easy job, Article 370 not withstanding. And at present we have a very determined Government in Delhi which may not hesitate to do it. Mufti Sahab is a seasoned statesman and I am sure he knows these realities. He will probably try to keep BJP and the Central Government on his right side. I expect the Government of India to win over the hearts of Kashmiris by announcing a desire to grant sky high autonomy to the Kashmiris who have braved all difficulties to vote in large numbers to show to the whole world that they are Indians. Through the latest elections the people of Jammu and Ladakh have again proved that they are Indians first and Indians last. The regional parties of Kashmir, like NC and PDP have no resonance in their hearts. The results of Nagrota and Bishnah are mere aberrations and should be ignored.
(The author is former Financial Commissioner, JK. Feedback to the author at 09748635185 or amitkus@hotmail.com)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel