Omkar Dattatray
It is so good that finally democracy has again set its foot in the turbulent political waters of Jammu and Kashmir .J&K which has the distinction of being the crown of India has been revisited by democracy after a long gape of ten years and it is really a matter of pride, satisfaction ,encouragement and win of the alienated people of the Jammu and Kashmir. Now that the democracy has again revisited the mountainous region of Jammu and Kashmir, the political parties of both NC-Congress alliance which are now ruling JK and the opposition party BJP which has got the mandate to perform the role of the effective and stable as well as strong opposition should both play their role and part so that democracy and its experiment will not only work but grow, thrive ,flourish and function for meeting the problems ,concerns ,needs and above all genuine aspirations of the people of two divisions of the UT that is Jammu and Kashmir valley .People of the Himalayan region have been anxiously and eagerly waiting for the return of democracy which era has now revisited the UT after a long pause .Finally the long lull and wait has come to an end and the assembly polls were held successfully with free and fair manner .The people of J & K have taken active part in the polls for the first time unexpectedly and unprecedentedly and have this time trusted NC-Congress pre poll alliance and have given them the mandate to rule J &K .The people of the sensitive Jammu and Kashmir have played their role and part by voting in large numbers never before and have reposed their trust in NC-Congress alliance for forming the coalition government and also have voted for BJP so that it will perform the effective role of a strong ,stable ,effective and viable opposition which is a must for the successful functioning of a democracy .The gullible people of the UT have done their duty by exercising their right of adult franchise and now it is the turn of NC-Congress government to perform and deliver best for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and come to the expectation of the people .Now NC legislature party leader who is also the vice president of NC and the chief minister designate has taken the oath of office and secrecy on 16 October 2014 Wednesday in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir .LG Manoj Sinha has administered the oath of office and secrecy to Omar Abdullah as the chief minister and to the other ministers in a glittering function at SKICC at the banks of river Jehlum which is now the witness to the transition of power to the first democratic and popular government since 2014.The new democratic government of NC-Congress should sit together and concentrate to perform ,deliver and do good for the people of both regions of Jammu and the valley irrespective of who voted for them and in this lies the good of both the rulers and the ruled .The litmus test for the new popular government is its coming up to the expectation of the people who have voted them to power .Omar government should give priority to the fulfilling mundane promises and assurances given to the electorate .It should first of all sincerely try to address the issues of water ,uninterrupted electricity, good schooling ,hygiene ,health ,good roads which are the major issues confronting the people of J&K .Besides ,the people should get some relief from skyrocketing prices of all essential goods and services as well as the provision of employment to the youth .The maiden government of Omar should press for the political issues later on as he should not take cudgels with the LG and also with the centre government .LG is the constitutional head of the UT and it is incumbent upon the elected chief minister to function in a cordial manner and respect and revere the LG’s post and in the present case he is the fatherly figure and Omar should take advice and suggestions from him to govern the UT so that the issues of the people are addressed on a priority basis .Omar should not do any sort of confrontation with the centre government but function in the spirit of federalism and unitary character of our constitution .The new chief minister should cooperate with the centre government and try to get enormous allocations and funds from the Modi government which is in the interests of the J&K .There is utmost need to keep the political issues of article 370,35 A and other such issues in the back burner and start the new inning on a positive and happy note and not begin with confrontation .No doubt article 370’s revival is the part of NC’s poll manifesto but it should be taken with the centre government at last .So far as the issue of restoration of statehood to JK is concerned, the GOI has made it clear in uncertain and unambiguous language that Modi government will restore the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir at an appropriate time and so Omar dispensation should give reasonable timeframe to the centre government for restoring the full statehood which is the constitutional and democratic right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir .Government and the political executive that is the CM Omar and his team of ministers should appreciate the stark reality the central government is committed to restore the full statehood with all provisions and guarantees as well as eights .Sooner or later the GOI will give back the statehood to J&K and thus no confrontation on this important issues should be made as it will harm the interests of the people instead of resolving the issues of the people .People need power ,roads ,jobs and civic amenities and to tread the beaten path will do more harm than good to the people .J&K people had been lamenting and silently outpouring their dismay and discontent on downsizing of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating it into two UT’s of Jammu& Kashmir and Ladakh and also on stripping them of the special status by abrogation of controversial Article 370.The new government should do nothing in haste and hurry for which it will have to repent later .It is good and in the favor of the people here that maximum funds and finances should be sought and received and the generous funds and finances will come from Delhi only when there are cordial relations between the UT’s government and the centre .In short the democracy has revisited JK and now it is the duty and responsibility of treasury benches and the opposition to play their role well .People of JK should also play their part so that democracy which has arrived to JK after a long gap of ten years will flourish ,thrive and function so that people’s lives will shine by addressing their mundane issues and problems. Hats off to democracy!
(The author is a columnist, social and KP activist)