Prof A N Sadhu
Elections to the Legislative Assembly of J&K UT have been held recently. This festival of democracy was celebrated in J&K after 10 long years. It is heartening to note that the elections were free and fair, and conducted smoothly, peacefully and enthusiastically without any disruption. This shows that the electorate was keen to witness the return of democratic rule by their own chosen representatives.
Although the ten years gone by have witnessed a good deal of developement on several fronts but people did feel deprived of a chosen legislature through which they could give expression to their views, opinions and suggestions besides seeking redressal of their grievances. In a democratic polity it is certainly painful that the elections to the Legislative Assembly are not held and the people deprived of their right to have a Government of their choice. Moving along the time path, things tend to fall in place, creating situations that warrant return to normal procedures and practices. However, the changes that took place during the preceding ten years can’t be overlooked.
A mighty state of Jammu and Kashmir was reduced to the status of a UT after it was divided into two parts giving rise to the establishment of another UT of Ladakh. The division of erstwhile .states is not unprecedented but it would be done to create new states and not the Union Territories. Even though this division had nothing to do with the geography of Jammu and Kashmir Divisions, even then the customary practice of Darbar Move was stopped to the disadvantage of both the divisions. These ten years also witnessed the rise of multiple Political Parties which however did not stand the test of public acceptability as revealed by the recently conducted elections. A new government has to work in the backdrop of these changes and meet the people’s expectations.
Emergence of a new arrangement throws up challenges and opportunities as well. However hard the challenges may be, the opportunities also do arise to open a way to optimize the gains of a new order. A very heavy responsibility, therefore, falls on the shoulders of the new Government to blend the challenges and opportunities to the advantage of the people who have chosen them to guide the future destiny of the U.T.
The challenges ahead are formidable. A high quality of statesmanship and political management is required to take on these challenges and carve out a strategy for the smooth run in the days to come.The people’s awareness has increased and their understanding sharpened to the extent that they can’t be driven by sentiments alone; they look forward to the results. The challenges are political, economic social and external.
The people’s mandate in the recent elections have thrown up the following political challenges. (i) Sharp political divide between the Jammu division and Kashmir division. Jammu massively going with BJP and Kashmir massively going for National conference. BJP have every reason to rejoice because of its increasing influence on the electorate in Jammu. It has seriously dented the political prospects of both NC and Congress in the Jammu division. The visible inference, one can draw from Kashmir electorate is that NC is deep rooted in Kashmir society. It did not do well in 2014, but its current performance should give it the confidence of being the single most Party enjoying universal acceptance among the Kashmir voters.It has made its presence felt in Pirpanjal and Chenab valley as well. The congress will have to do some serious rethinking to analyse the reasons of its shrinking base in the U.T.
However the polarized verdict of the electorate throws up a challenge before the new Government of ensuring the governance that addresses equally to the concerns of both the divisions. The polarized verdict should not mean that there are no meeting grounds between the two divisions, it only shows that any government in office should respect the sensitivities of both the regions.The Chief Minister’s cabinet comprising of three Ministers from Jammu Division makes a good beginning in this regard. Both the Political Parties will have to cooperate in ensuring a smooth run to the advantage of both the divisions.
Secondly. the powers of the Government stand curtailed as against the position, it enjoyed while a state. Although during L.G’s administration lot of development has taken place, but the elected Government would wish to get restored to an unrestricted position. There has to be understanding and good will between the CM’s and LG’s administrative wings which will ensure unrestricted administration to facilitate the development of the U.T.
Thirdly to get the statehood without any additional conditions, is also a challenge before the new government. The biggest challenge is that of restoration of Article 370 and 35A, which it seems is very unlikely. The J&K’s relationship with Indian Union has to be at par with that of other states.
The persisting occurrences of militancy related incidents is no less a challenge which the new government will have to address very seriously in close cooperation with the Deptt. of Home Affairs.
On economic front, the challenges comprise of modernizing the Agriculture, expanding the industrial base and developing terrorism with quality services. The biggest challenge of generating the jobs for a large pool of young boys and girls needs immediate attention. It needs a thoughtful exercise to open agricultural and industrial sectors to the enterprising youth. Diversification of Agri-business has a high potential of creating lucrative jobs for the youth particularly in food and fruit processing and tourism. The services sector may not offer many job avenues because of increased digitalization.
On the social front, it will be a big job to promote peace and harmony. The caste, community and regional divide will have to be knitted into a meaningful bond to offer every one his purposeful participation in UT’s development. The Government will be on test to work out a sound Return and Rehabilitation policy for displaced community of Kashmiri Pandits who are the aborgines of Kashmir valley. This should enjoy the top priority to enrich the social endowment of the valley. U.T of J&K is highly diversified society and in order to forge unity among all sections of the society balanced political and economic development is required and the Government should aim at macro gains to be percolated across the geographic boundaries of J&K.
The external challenge is no less, in any way. The neighbouring country is hell bent upon to destabilize the democratic set up and sufficient safeguards, on several fronts, are required to be formed to allow the Government to work smoothly.
Challenges create opportunities as well. The time has come to correct the historical and political distortions and steer the U.T to a clear cut growth path. Political stability along with innovative economic planning is capable of creating sufficient avenues for the U.T to engage its young population in productive and creative activities.
In the passage of time, there do arise situations which warrant an objective examination of the past and a fresh look towards the future. Past is history and future is the promise of a better life, the present should leave for its progeny. Man, in particular the leaders, have to realize and rise to such situations to leave no regrets for the future generations.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
