Srinagar: After a two-month-long wait and suspense, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed will finally be sworn in as Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister as the head of Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition government on Sunday. Both parties have ironed out a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) for Jammu and Kashmir. However, it needs to be seen if both the parties will be able to sell the alliance to their respective constituencies as 'a win-win deal'.
Surprisingly there were no jubilations in either Kashmir valley or Jammu region over government formation though common people expect their day-to-day problems will at least be addressed. Political experts say that U-turn by BJP and PDP from their stands on various issues have angered people from both the region.
However, they say that the CMP is to some extent in line with PDP's stand on various issues whereas BJP has compromised on several ideological issues, including Article 370 and settlement of Pakistani refugees, probably to grab the chance to occupy the treasury benches for the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, the only Muslim-majority state of India.
A famous saying, politics has less to do with where you live than where your heart is, perfectly depicts the picture of BJP-PDP government as both parties despite ideological differences, managed to come on a common ground after several meetings.
Though the National Conference (NC) alleged that a deal between BJP and PDP was done immediately after the results were declared on December 23, 2014, but both parties claimed that they were negotiating for the best deal for the state.
Mufti Sayeed could not have been more candid when he termed the BJP-PDP alliance as coming together of 'North Pole and South Pole'.
Mufti after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi quoted an Arabic proverb "Al haq u murrun walaw kaana durrun" (truth is bitter, even if it is an invaluable pearl).
"Prime Minister was very kind. We had a detailed discussion on a number of issues. It is a historic opportunity for us. And once you get this kind of leverage, you have to make use of it properly," Mufti, who will become the chief minister of the state for the second time on Sunday, said. Mufti was the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir in a PDP-Congress coalition government for three years from November 2, 2002 to November 2, 2005.
However, statements made by PDP patron and various BJP leaders contradict their earlier stand on many issues.
During the Assembly election campaign, Prime Minister Modi had railed against the musical chair in Srinagar, saying "Kabhi Baap-Betay ki sarkar, Kabhi Baap-Beti Ki sarkar" while taking on Farooq Abdulladh-Omar Abdulladh and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-Mehbooba Mufti combine. On the other hand PDP had rallied voters, asking people to vote for them to stop BJP from coming to power in the state.
Now both the parties have sealed a deal with a hug.
But how well will the compromises made by both the parties in order to come to a common ground go down with their supporters?
Voices have already started to emerge in Jammu region, where some right-wing groups have alleged that BJP compromised on its ideological principles to share power with PDP.
BJP, which won all of its 25 seats in the 87-member Assembly from Jammu region, will find it difficult to justify its decision to maintain status quo on Article 370, which gives special status to the state, as the saffron party raised the issue in the country during Parliamentary election.
The saffron party also has been advocating for resettlement of western Pakistan refugees in the state, but according to sources both parties have agreed to address their issues like housing and livelihood without promising them State Subject rights.
Similarly, it will be difficult for the BJP to justify its decision to hold talks with separatists as the Centre in August 2014 cancelled talks with Pakistan after its High Commissioner in New Delhi met Hurriyat Conference leaders.
The BJP will also have to explain the compulsions in which it agreed to remove controversial Armed Force Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from some parts of the state, as the saffron party has always been critical of revocation of the Act in the past.
Political experts believe that PDP was able to save its face as most of the points it had put forth were agreed by BJP. The only issue on which Mufti-led party diluted its stand is Article 370, as PDP had in the past advocated for self-rule. Surprisingly, PDP had remained silent over the issue during Assembly election campaigning.
Sources say that all the land which has not been leased, licensed or acquired by the Army and other security forces in the state will have to be vacated. Meanwhile, Army and security forces will have to pay rent according to market rates if they have occupied public, private land or any building.
PDP will take credit if the decision is implemented and experts claim that the Mufti-led party will benefit from this in the future elections in the valley.
Even though the five-phase election witnessed massive participation of voters despite militant threat and boycott by separatists, a popular government could not assume office by January 19, the last date for installing a government as the results threw a fractured mandate.
The PDP emerged as the single largest part with 28 seats followed by BJP with 25 seats. NC managed to win 15 seats while Congress secured 12 seats. The Peoples Conference (PC) got two while Communist Party of India (M) and Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) won one seats each.
As no party or group of parties had staked claim to form the next government in the state, Governor's rule was imposed in the state. The present Governor's rule was the sixth one after the state merged with Union of India in 1947.
While accepting the then chief minister Omar Abdullah's resignation, Governor NN Vohra had requested him to continue in office till "alternative arrangements are made". However, Omar refused to continue as the care taker chief minister.
Imposition of Governors' rule was announced by Vohra at Jammu on January 9 after receiving concurrence from the President of India, under section 92(5) of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir.
However, Omar blamed Mufti-led party for Governor's rule as both NC and Congress had offered unconditional support to PDP to form a government in Jammu and Kashmir.
The CPI (M), PDF and one independent Er Sheikh Abdul Rashid had also extended their support to PDP to keep the BJP out from the power in the only Muslim majority state of the country. But PDP didn't pay heed to their offer.
Former chief minister and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad in fact floated an idea of grand alliance between PDP, Congress and NC to keep the BJP away. However, the idea was rejected by the NC while there was no response from the PDP.
Comments
0 comment