The Legitimate Desk Election Dilemma
Last week the union cabinet extended the Presidents rule to Jammu and Kashmir for more six months. This decision by the cabinet has let all the speculations to the rest of having Assembly polls in state in near future. At least the decision has made it clear by the Union government that the elections in state are unlikely till the culmination of Amarnath Yatra peacefully.
Following the induction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s close confidant Amit Shah into his fresh cabinet, there are lots of speculations going on regarding the political situation of Jammu and Kashmir. It is to be believed that centre may take many political and security initiatives before it hold the Assembly elections in state. In fact the Narender Modi led government does not seem to be in hurry for conducting of elections in state given to the previous political and security crisis in state. The BJP-PDP coalition that collapsed in July last year in fact failed to sustain for six years tenure owing to alarming increase in security crisis in state following the death of militant commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani in July 2016. Burhan was the trigger for fresh political uprising in valley that later on succeeded in pulling the rug beneath the feet of Mehbooba Mufti and plugged Jammu and Kashmir into president’s rule.
Now the centre where the BJP is in rule with amazing majority is taking calculated steps in Jammu and Kashmir and doesn’t want to make another failed attempt while conducting elections in hurry.
“2014 elections in state were a dry run for Modi government. There was a lot to learn and explore. Had we continued with the previous BJP-PDP regime it could have been a biggest blunder given to rising level of corruption and nepotism in system,” said one of the BJP leaders, not comfortable to reveal his name.
“Right now we are thinking for stability in Kashmir and ensuring that the institutions of corruption, nepotism and secessionist ideology is curbed first and then the elections are held for the smooth functioning of government,” he adds.
The centre is of the opinion that over the years, the institutions like Jammu and Kashmir Bank which evaded accountability and transparency have turned the biggest source of funding for separatism in Kashmir where the mainstream politicians, bureaucrats and separatists are in league and make their fortunes. In fact in the recent past the Union Government has withheld the proposal of Jammu and Kashmir Bank authorities of opening the branch at Dubai.
“The crackdown on Jammu & Kashmir Bank is more than just punching holes in the records of a recalcitrant financial institution. It’s a strong political message to Srinagar that Delhi will leave no stone unturned to wreck the consensus which has run the city, the Valley and its politics for the past three decades,” writes Pranab Dhal Samantha in Economic Times.
“This was an uneasy consensus among the various shades of Kashmir — the militant, the protester, the politician, government employees, civil society, NGOs and yes, even sections of the security establishment — that evolved over time into a sort of ruling class, which became both the threat and guarantor to peace depending on how the conversation stood with the powers in Delhi,” He adds.
The sources claim that with this clear signal from New Delhi, there are many chances of massive shake ups in the states machinery ahead of Assembly elections.
“Many fishes are likely to be in trap. We need to break the nexus of politicians, separatists, civil society groups, some officers and security agencies to empower the common man. In case those who hold the power in valley may sustain again this unholy nexus and will trouble our efforts in ensuring the pro people governance,” said the senior political leader in New Delhi.
“In the name of conflict, people have amassed huge wealth and fortunes. We need to break it at any cost to restore the faith of people in democracy,” a senior BJP leader (retd) Brig Anil Gupta said.
He said massive CBM’s are on anvil to secure the future of young generation but for that “we will work first for the restoration of peace in valley and isolate Pakistan.”
Meanwhile, the maiden visit of Amit Shah after taking over as Union Home ministry on June 30 is seen a step in same directions. Shah is visiting the valley to pay visit to the Shri Amarnath Shrine and will later hold meetings with security and intelligence agencies. As the Kashmir is his main agenda to settle, he may take many more steps following the meeting.
However, in the valley the initiatives led by New Delhi are attached with grave apprehensions by political class.
Shah Faisal, founder and chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Political Movement recently released a short video in Kashmiri language and urged people to vote in large numbers. In a 3 minutes video he says that India is playing a dangerous political game in Jammu and Kashmir and trying to push Kashmiris especially Muslims to the wall.
“The attempt of delimitation by Amit Shah is an aim to ensure that never a Kashmiris shall hold the chair of Chief Minister. The way the process of delimitation is set in Jammu and Kashmir, New Delhi tries to increase the seats in Hindu Majority Jammu. In case this happens it can shut the doors for Kashmiris to become chief minister and this politically dangerous for Kashmir,” he said.
He, however, says that the trend in Delhi where maximum participation of voters was always encouraged, the new regime want maximum people to stay away from polling booths in Kashmir. This way the united vote in Jammu will elect their party to power and Kashmiris are reduced at level 2.
“Democratically I am not against anyone to become chief minister and even delimitation shall happen on genuine grounds. But the way BJP led government choose is unfortunate. “
