D.K. Kotwal
The entire Kashmir region and some hilly areas of Jammu region are in the grip of extreme cold, the mercury is falling sharply and entering into freezing zone, the mountainous areas are clad in white apparels but in the political circles of the state there is a sudden spurt of heat and uncertainity. A tall state leader—CM Mufti passed away in harness last week leaving the space of chief ministership to be filled up immediately as per the requirement of constitution. It is said that before his death he had expressed his desire of passing his mantle of chief ministership to his daughter—-Mehbooba Mufti, the president of PDP as she was thought to be the right heir to the throne.
On the day of death she refused to be sworn-in as the first ever woman chief minister of J and K state on the ground that it was a religious obligation not to do so till the mourning period of 4 days was not over. Everybody was convinced that she was first a daughter and then had to be the head of the state and the decision seemed logical and an appropriate one.
There are many precedents that discern that swearing-in is held immediately after the death of incumbents in office to avoid the constitutional crisis. Farooq Abdullah was sworn-in even before the burial of his father-Sheikh Abdullah. Rajiv Gandhi was made the Prime Minister of India before even the dead body of Indra Gandhi was taken out of the hospital and cremated.
As of now, the mourning period of the beloved leader of four days is over. And there is no singalfrom the concerned individual for the formation of the government. Every passing day is increasing tremendously the political uncertainty, giving rise to new theories and speculations. To protect the constitutional spirit the Governor had to bring the state under Governor’s rule. What was the need of it, if she has to form the Government. She has not to stitch the alliance, already that is in place. She has simply to take reins of the state in hand and stimulate the pace of developmental projects of the state and keep a watchful eye upon the law and order of it. last Year it took two months to Mufti to work out an alliance with an unnatural ally BJP as both PDP and BJP are two political parties diametrically opposite in there ideologies. PDP believes in self rule and is perceived sympathetic and soft toward militancy and separatists. Whereas its ally-BJP is supporter of the scrapping of the article 370 that provides a special status to J&K state.
Mufti was helpless in forming the Government with other political parties-National conference and Congress though both of them had offered themselves for Government formation. Here he had shown political maturity and sagacity in choosing BJP its ally as BJP has got mandate of Jammu and PDP of Kashmir region and the combination of two has the representation of the whole state. Again the BJP at the centre is governed by exceptionally visionary and politically shrewd politician Mr Modi who at once extended his hand for formation of a Government. Keeping all the contentious issues; article 370 and self rule etc at bay and only to work upon developmental agenda was agreed upon, consequently a workable political dispensation came into being and also worked to some extent well for 10 months. Now because of sudden and untimely demise of PDP patron the working of popular Government has come to a halt and it was thought that after passing of the 4 mourning days the working would be restored but the same looks elusive. No doubt it is not a death of her father but also of her guide, mentor, inspiration and what not. At this hour of grief the whole nation has got solidarity with her but she too has to see that her an inordinate delay in decision making will make the state suffer. Rather she should have called the meeting of her party legislators and got elected herself as legislature party leader and asked the BJP to fall in line as it is ever ready to form the Government rather anxiously. She has got the chance to complete the developmental projects started by her father and that is the real way of paying homage to the departed soul.
What I feel is that India is a sovereign and democratic country for external forces but at least not for family rulers.Still the raja, maharaja system is in vogue in some states of India .After the death of a king the prince was coronated irrespective of his merit. Same type of tradition and practice is continuing unfortunately in some states of India. Modi in his election campaign during the state assembly election had made the family rule as an election issue and had promised to remove it but after the elections he was the man to join hands with bap-beti to form the Government. The right thing would have been after the death of PDP patron the PDP lagislators should have elected their leader and formed the Government with BJP instead of hankering after an individual who happens to be the daughter of the late CMand has so called required qualification to became CM.
Time is ripe for the right thinking people to gird up their lions and fight out this unwanted psyche prevalent among the masses and make India really an independent and sovereign country to be run democratically.
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