Anil Anand
Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi announces a pre-poll economic package for Bihar worth Rs 1.25 lakh crore. Usually such packages are bait offered to the voters and Bihar slated to face Assembly elections in no time, is no exception. But in the context of Jammu and Kashmir the entire meaning of an economic package changes. Such an offer has multifarious dimensions in the troubled state which has a history of political sleaze, deception and broken promises- both Centre and state oriented.
Has the Bihar package kindled a fresh ray of hope for Jammu and Kashmir? Talk of a new economic package pre-dates the coming into existence of the present BJP-PDP government and has its genesis in the floods that ravaged vast expanse of both Jammu and Kashmir regions. The then Chief Minister Mr Omar Abdullah had sent a demand note of Rs 44,000 crore as a projected relief package. And if the grapevine has it, the same has now been jacked to above Rs one lakh crore under the current dispensation in the state.
There is certainly need for the Centre’s economic assistance as even a year after the natural-cum- manmade catastrophe the multitude of humanity urban and rural, rich and poor has been left to fend for themselves. That is the human part of the story which is waiting to be addressed but has got buried under the rubble of vested and sectarian politics as has been the wont.
The question arises as to why this delay and who is to be blamed. Normally there are no easy answers to even a simple question that has Jammu and Kashmir particularly Kashmir tag attached to it. But the situation is much simpler and clearer this time around and answer is easily fathomable for anyone across the state and even outside it.
The answer to this delay and many other related complicacies lies in the kind of political and administrative arrangement which the PDP-BJP combine has currently reached. It is different from what they had perceived while stitching the alliance which was based on not only filling the gulf between the two ideologically diametrically opposite alliance partners but more importantly bridging the gap between three regions of the state- Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
There is no harm in honestly admitting that Jammu and Kashmir has come to a halt just over 100 days after the democratically elected Mufti Mohammed Sayeed government had taken over. Avoidable controversies have engulfed both Jammu and Kashmir regions with Ladakh the smaller but strategically important region not knowing where to look for redressal of their grievances.
The immediate fall-out is a failing tourist season drastically diminished interest in the Amarnath Yatra which is heading towards conclusion. This is an index of emerging scenario.
A wobbly government and the resultant air of uncertainty have given rise to a question as to whether the state has the strength and courage to force the Centre into announcing the aid. The fact of the matter is that the government and the polity vertically split on regional and sectarian lines have gradually defeated the alliance much touted “bridging the gap” theory. Concurrently it has weakened the decision making strength of both BJP and the PDP on every important issue be it the economic package, granting AIIMS and lately smart city project. The decision making is not only a nightmare but has become a casualty.
More than on Indo-Pak front, the priority should be to immediately initiate some Confidence Building Measures between the BJP-PDP leadership. The next and accompanying logical step would be to put in place a similar mechanism to bring the three regions closer.
It was desired that the ruling alliance partners should have shown greater maturity in handling the contradictions. But the manipulative tactics adopted by both at least on the issue of sanctioning an AIIMS for Jammu and lately propounding the theory of two Institutes for Jammu and Kashmir respectively without an iota of supporting evidence, in black and white, has deepened the trench of mistrust that was waiting to be bridged as promised. The economic package also seems to be precariously hanging by the thread and threatening to fall in this trench any moment. This also explains the delay on this front.
People are willing to see reason provided the leaders have the courage and conviction to stand up and speak out genuinely provided they rise above narrow political considerations bordering regions. The overzealous approach by the ruling allies to focus on strengthening their respective bases in respective regions, earlier than expected, has added to the haze and deepened distrust.
Rather than embarking on a plan to strengthen their vote banks through the promised developmental agenda, the alliance partners seem to have adopted a short-cut based on striking emotional chords. It might bring some short-term gains to the ruling clique. But on the long run this policy under the current circumstances could be fraught with dangerous consequences.
There are no elections in Jammu and Kashmir in near future so a voluntary announcement of an economic package or resolution of AIIMS conundrum by the Centre is ruled out. But this seems to be a deceptive scenario as both BJP and PDP are currently engulfed by a sense of insecurity and their focus on regionalism, more so PDP is borne out of uncertainty about the life of their arrangement.
The answer to this question lies in the future. They have every right to plan for the future but cannot wish away the present which demands that actions beneficial to the state should be taken in unison and not in a partisan manner. The writing on the wall is clear; act decisively or be prepared to be drowned in Jhelum or Tawi in the event of an early election.
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