Fighting separatism was the main objective of every government which came in power in Jammu and Kashmir and the second coming of PDP-BJP too has the same in focus. Though, ideologically different BJP has an emotional link with Jammu as Jan Sangh, is the parent party of BJP. When it was formed, the first issue it raised was about Jammu and Kashmir and its leaders who made sacrifices. The nationalistic path, foundation of which was laid by Shyama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Prem Nath Dogra, today is unique. Despite winning a huge mandate in Jammu BJP finds itself in a weak position which was evident on the three month impasse after Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s demise. There was no government and Governor’s rule came into operation for a short period of three months. The second government formation headed by Mehbooba Mufti has cleared all the doubts from the minds of the people about the existence of coalition and continuity of the alliance. No doubt it took over seven weeks to reach on a consensus earlier for the government formation but there was no fear of Governor’s rule in the state at that time. Both BJP and PDP took their own time to understand and today the situation has come to the same stage once again. Emergence of a third front in the State too was not ruled out earlier with speculations of internal disturbances within the parties. But now it looks that all was speculation. At this moment PDP especially Mehabooba Mufti has full sympathy of the people and BJP does not want to miss the chance of remaining out of government especially offer tasting power for the last one year. So the compulsion to remain afloat would once again make them join hands and as everyone knows even the BJP Central as well as State leadership won’t mind sacrificing few heads to keep the coalition intact and alive. Mehbooba’s big challenge will be to manage this discord with a steady hand. Her challenge will be to continue her father’s legacy with a politics of bridge-building to boost the aspirations of the people of all three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
