From The Editor / The Legitimate Statehood Restoration
With Jammu and Kashmir nearing to complete one year of nullifying provisions of Article 370 from the Indian constitution, the local political parties seem to have begun the political activities. For the first time after the release of former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wrote a detailed piece in Delhi based newspaper and asserted that he can only contest elections if the statehood is restored for Jammu and Kashmir.
His father and National Conference patron Dr. Farooq Abdullah too echoed the same demand. Until recently both the leaders had confined themselves to their homes and strategically avoided the media. The demand for the restoration of statehood grew after senior Abdullah visited Delhi a few days ago and later denied that he had an official meeting with any political leader.
Speculations are growing that New Delhi is likely to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir and all these political parties are trying to encash an opportunity to seek the credit. There are also other players in the fray including Congress, Apni Party, and other small political groups fighting to get this crown of statehood from Delhi.
But it is premature to say what lies in store for Jammu and Kashmir at the Racecourse. Whenever the air in Kashmir is covered with rumors, there is a great possibility for something to happen but no one can guess what exactly happens.
The Narender Modi government had successfully scrapped the provisions of Article 370 and implemented the Indian constitution in Jammu and Kashmir in its entirety. This has fulfilled the long pending desire of BJP backed by RSS but it has also evoked the international backlash for the country. The Modi government is getting hard to handle the situation at diplomatic and military level post-August 5, 2019 decision given to China’s and Pakistan’s opposition to its historical decision in Jammu and Kashmir.
In such circumstances, New Delhi may not look for grand celebrations on the first so-called anniversary of Article 370 abrogation. It may not even feel comfortable with massive coverage in print media and the nonstop shows run by national television channels.
The laying of the foundation stone of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya on August 5 might be a step in the same direction to divert the attention of the media. But at the same time, it is seriously looking to roll out the political process in Jammu and Kashmir and seek an end to the political logjam that began on August 5 last year when all leaders were put in detention. To resume the political activities, it is necessary for Delhi to set the new goalposts since no regional party is in a strong position to face people. They have lost all, statehood, Ladakh region, PRC, and on top of that the fresh arbitrary orders issued by the present administration which people are unlikely to endorse. Restoration of statehood will be the first goal post to secure by the regional political parties.
The political leaders including Farooq Abdullah, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba are actually in fray given the present situation. Anyone among them might turn out to be the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir whenever the elections are held. But all have in the past served as the most powerful Chief Ministers in a country with Lower and Upper House besides no powers lying at Raj Bhawan.
In the present political arrangement, it may not deem fit to their political stature to serve as Chief Ministers of Union Territory and work under the Lieutenant Governor. These parties are not even ready to put forth the next generation leaders which they feel may lose their grip on their party affairs.
The beginning of fresh politics will be a tedious process for both the regional parties and Delhi. But there is still a lot more for the parties to sell to the people given to the present system of working in UT.
