B L Saraf
Pouring rain and a, conspicuously, muted response of the people greeted swearing in ceremony of the PDP/BJP Government. In Kashmir, may be true of Jammu also, rain on the joyous occasion is considered an auspicious sign. But silence marks abadomen.
Therefore, the scenario looked as contradictory as the composition of this Government. We are witnessing a spectacle; perceived soft separatism and the hard nationalism cohabitating together. How well said “Politics makes strange bed fellows.”
In PDP – BJP Government formation we see geographical lines getting compressed and, borrowing a line from the main actor, “North pole embracing South pole.” What looked quite unthinkable in not so distant past has materialised in reality. True, the outcome of the Assembly election had created a situation in J&K where no single political party could form a Government on its own.
Given the geopolitical scenario with cross territorial ramifications, J&K couldn’t afford to remain without a popular Government, for a long. Therefore, a multi party Government in the state was inevitable. However, nature of the state politics, particularly of the Valley, is such as to rule out certain ‘possible’ party formulations. For instance, Kashmir centric parties like PDP and N.C would not go together: BJP will not align with INC: communists and some independent MLAs of certain “ideological predilection” would not prefer one group or the other. Therefore, on the Doctrine of Elimination and theory of inevitability the PDP / BJP coalition Government, in the state, had become a fait acompli. More so, because the PDP carried bulk of Kashmiris with it and the BJP had an overwhelming response from the people of Jammu region. In J&K, it is in the fitness of things that a Government is all inclusive.
It is good to break the stereotype. If we look at this exercise from a wider angle, then, surely, it does fit into a pattern followed world over, where the out dated ideologies have fallen apart, vociferously stated positions have gone for a toss: the ground realities and pragmatism have come to dictate the socio – political course. On the positive side , the exercise may create a sentiment that it is possible for two political parties of diffirent base areas and of extreme divergent views, on all material issues confronting the state, to come together in an alliance and work for the governance and develop a convergence of sorts, that may reduce psychological, political and regional divide . Hopefully , the sentiment may then rub off on the other political forces with, rather, very extreme positions in both the regions and encourage them to come nearer on the emotional issues, as well. PDP and BJP may have fairly well spread mandate in Kashmir and Jammu provinces, respectively: but, unfortunately, each party’s mandate has a sectarian and regional flavour. Therefore, in letter at least , their Government would assume a much needed and highly desired representative and inclusive character.
Nonetheless, there is other angle to the matter. The chief interlocutors of the parties appear to be conscious of it. That is why they emphasise governance aspect more than the political angle of the alliance, forgetting, however, that there is always a profound political content to every Government formation , more so in J&K. The political angle will, off and on, haunt their association.
PDP and BJP have vigorously espoused certain issues as core agenda and nursed particular constituencies, almost in exclusion to each other. The issues are mutually contraindicative and the constituencies have peculiar aspirations and demands. Their positions on Art 370, AFSPA and settlement of W. Pak Refugees are well known Position on Art 370 may bear deferment, as we have seen it in earlier NDA rule when PM AB Vajpayee emphasised on ‘Insaniyat” than Art 370 while dealing with the Hurriyat. But the issue of W. Pak Refugees and AFSPA will prove a mill stone around their neck. For PDP, it would be hard to sell any compromise on these issues to the electorate in Kashmir. Its very existence in the Valley, in presence of National Conference, is dependent on a stance, on these issues , which is diametrically opposed to that of the BJP.
Kashmir is a veritable mine field . One wrong step will ignite the field with disastrous consequences for the whole state.
Good governance, emphasising the development of the whole state, with special attention to the flood affected people will soften the situation . But then the core “issues” need to be addresse, rather simultaneously. For PM Modi , Vajpayee has laid down the path which should lead him to the “alienated” youth of the state and the separatist leadership. CM Mufti could facilitate the process.
Today’s silence carries a ‘meaningful’ eloquence. PM Narendra Modi and CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed must care to listen what is not said. They will have to employ their skills to manage the contradictions and emerging situation. After all, politics is an art of managing the contradictions. Job is, indeed, cut out for them . Will this dispensation mean breaking the taboo or prove a marriage of convenience only time will tell .
(The author is former Principal District & Sessions Judge)
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