Muftis mum and the speculations thereof The `grand embrace with BJP will be a grand disaster for Kashmir BETRAYAL AB. QAYOOM KHAN SmallerDefaultLarger “Trust is very hard if you don’t know what you’re trusting” M. Williamson Omar Abdullah is fast on the political chess board of Kashmir, as he has checkmated his arch-rival PDP by moving to Raj Bhawan to reaffirm his support for government formation. Till the poll results were out, Muftis were gutsy challenger to Omar, taunting him and his father of having remained a part of BJP led NDA government, with a sellout of ‘Autonomy resolution’ for ministerial berth. Omar has never been so lucky in his political carrier as of now, his defeat in the recent elections, winning only 15 seats, has come as a blessing in disguise. At the advice of some well wisher, who is definitely not from his political courtier, he is making best use of his ‘Tool-15’ to test the political credentials of Mufti Muhammed Syed, a trusted Lieutenant of Delhi in the past and now a new ‘Avatar’ claiming to resolve the ‘Kashmir issue’ by fulfilling the regional political aspirations of Kashmir. Mufti in his tireless poll campaign has dubbed this election a ‘defining’ moment in the endeavor to ‘safeguard’ the distinct constitutional position of the state and promised to strive for ‘Self Rule’. This has gained more importance now, when the RSS backed BJP after emerging as a political might from Jammu, is determined to bring ‘saffron revolution’ in Kashmir. Ever since Omar Abdullah has offered his unconditional support to keep the BJP at bay, the PDP seems to have gone in hibernation, with Nayeem Akther issuing the ‘political health bulletins’ regarding the well being of the party. Muftis are mum, weighting the pros and cons of possible alliance probably with the incompatibles. The highly fractured verdict and indecisiveness of PDP has paved the way for the Governor to assume the direct charge of administration for the time being. The choices before the four major political party PDP, NC, BJP and Congress that have a stake is, how ever, daunting. The verdict suggested a deep schism. The PDP won a clear majority seats in Kashmir on the promise to keep the BJP at bay and address the ‘political conflict’ with Delhi by pursuing ‘Self Rule’ as guiding frame work for resolution of Kashmir. It also promised to use Article 370 of the Indian Constitution for restoring ‘Original Special Status’ of Jammu & Kashmir. The people responded positively and have reposed trust in their ‘Green Aspirational Agenda’ which besides political empowerment, took a pledge to de-notifying disturbed areas to pay way towards withdrawal of AFSPA, seeking economic self reliance by way of renegotiate all natural resources sharing agreements with New Delhi, particularly on water resources and hydropower projects, empowering banks and introducing interest free banking. Whereas the BJP which polarized the elections with its ‘Mission 44+’ on the promise of abrogation of Article 370, emerged as a political might from Jammu. BJP wants to be in power at any cost as they believe it is ‘now or never’. Despite heightened, and increasingly bitter hostilities with ‘Baap Bati’, the BJP brass is keen on forming a saffron collation with PDP on the basis of rotational Chief Ministerial-ship. It feels that such an alliance shall not only disapprove, Congress’s charges that BJP is divisive but it shall also enhance Modi’s acceptability and he could come across as a leader willing to work ideologically opposite parties in Kashmir. The ‘saffron alliance’ shall not only act as check on the ‘Self Rule’ doctrine of PDP but shall also provide an opportunity to pursue the fulfilment of its promised manifesto, with respect to changing the state subject laws, granting of citizenship rights to three lac Hindu Refugees from Pakistan, creating a separate homeland for Kashmiri Pandiths, increasing the number of Assembly Constituencies in Jammu region through ‘Delimitation Commission’ and also reserving constituencies in favour of Kashmiri Pandiths and Pakistani Refugees. Looking at the overall picture, those having power ambitions in PDP, put pressure on Muftis that BJP is not going to be a threat to PDP’s interests and as a result the party has made overtures to BJP to explore the possibility of government with saffron alliance. In ideological terms a PDP – BJP collation will involve the maximum retreat from entrenched position of PDP. The PDP will have to shelve its commitment to self rule, porous borders and dual currency. While reacting to the National Conference’s reiterating its support to PDP before the Governor, that ‘People voted for Change’ Nayeem Akthar has thrown enough of hints that ‘grand embrace’ of ‘Modi and Mufti’ is in the offing. If Mufti decides to shake the hand with Modi, it is for sure that at the end of day, Mufti shall have to count his fingers, as the people of Kashmir, neither ‘forget’ nor ‘forgive’ the ‘political betrayal’. The present political stalemate shall prove to be a lull before the storm. (Ab Qayoom Khan (IFS) Rtd. is Member All India Muslim Majlis - e- Mushawarat. Feedback at [email protected])
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 02:31:43 +0000
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