Dr Satwant Singh Rissam
The newly elected government is back in Jammu and Kashmir. If you didn’t vote for any party and candidate that has formed and supported this Government in J&K, then also Omar Abdullah will remain your Chief Minister. Now it is time for you to hold this government accountable as the role of opposition cannot be overlooked in the democratic process. However, while setting new expectations with this government don’t forget that things take time. In 2014, Jammu was assured that there would be an end to the legacy of regional oppression. Then in 2019, after Article 370 abrogation Jammu region became confident that the right time has emerged and now Jammu will be at the ‘top’.
But even until 2024, things didn’t reach up to people’s expectations and anger was visible many times among Jammu’s different communities over many issues. This regional political imbalance in the last ten years will again be a significant point of contention during Omar Abdullah’s government. Also, for many decades, the Jammu region has struggled with policies in jobs, sports, agriculture, education, and other sectors that were unfairly implemented. Moreover, let’s not forget that Jammu has been subjected to higher tax collection while Kashmir received more funds. Such circumstances caused internal divisions within the Jammu and Kashmir regions. It is time to reinvent Jammu and craft a new narrative that in real terms brings Jammu and Kashmir closer.
Jammu has its wish list which will be presented to Omar Abdullah once again through various platforms. The wish list will reflect simple desires to implement policies in jobs, sports, agriculture, education, and other sectors that end the unfair treatment of the Jammu region. And to replicate the success stories of other states with models of good governance and transparency, revival of law and order, the success of tourism plans in Jammu, achieve industrial success, and infrastructural achievements. Everyone should work with this new government to end a long-standing issue of ‘inequality’ and ‘exploitation’ of the Jammu region. It will be a big task but by doing so, it will reflect the National Conference (NC) being responsive to the needs of the Jammu community.
The way cabinet ministers from the Jammu region have got portfolios shows big ‘hope’ from NC and suggests that there is a positive change on the horizon. To do this, many new things must be tried, tested, and implemented by the NC. Jammu needs the leadership of Omar Abdullah to prove this all within his competencies and seize the political opportunity NC has got.This needs exemplary governance to end stagnation and shift political priorities to bring on-ground effectiveness in people’s lives. With less political pressure in Jammu & Kashmir’s apparatus, change can also come with the help of legendary officers known for their integrity, honesty, and strategic vision so that the Government can deliver to the needs of the people and just not act like tarot card readers.
This time Jammu must regain its rightful place under the NC’s governance model. It is not just an ‘aspirational thought’ but very much feasible if an optimal balance is struck between the central government and the J&K Government so that our population’s long-term concerns are addressed. The framework for reinventing Jammu exists, previously it was with BJP leadership, and now NC is keen to give Jammu its rightful political place that it once occupied with tremendous pride. It is incumbent upon Jammuites to arrive at a crucial recognition that Omar Abdullah can solve our problems and fulfill our inherent demands. Time and again he has made gestures during the recent interaction with the media and in a way appealed to Jammuites to allow his party to deliver. These advances extended in good faith should not be rejected but held upon as a pivotal solution in shaping the future of the region.
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