Daya Sagar
Jammu Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has released on 24th August its manifesto for 2024 elections to Legislative Assembly of UT of J&K to be held in 3 phases (18th September, 25 September and 1 October 2024 ).
While releasing the manifesto in Srinagar Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti and addressing the media the PDP President a very detailed presentation of the view point/ agenda of per party / the objective behind Lt Sh. Mufti Mohd Sayeed ( who had earlier a very long career as a congress leader also ) for floating the J&K PDP. The contents of the manifesto were no more than the routine promises that these day the politicians are seen making but what Mehbooba Ji said in her cover address to media on the manifesto has been worth taking more & immediate serious note are references like Kashmir Issue ( Masla e Kashmir) to by all those who have been working all these years to see how peace and stability could return in ‘J&K’. While confirming that PDP is going to field candidates in the elections she simultaneously said that in case Congress & National Conference hold to PDP’s agenda PDP will render unconditional support to their candidates ( may not even install PDP candidates). Indirectly she confirmed that J&K PDP firmly still holds to the doctrine contained “Self Rule Framework” Document as was placed in public domain on 25 Oct 2008 when she said her party is for resolving “Kashmir Issue”. It has to be noted that the agenda is not resolving “issues in Kashmir ( J&K)” but is for resolving “Kashmir Issue”.
PDP had routed NC asking Government of India to focus more on “Kashmir Issue” and not issues in Kashmir ( Mehbooba Jee very truthfully had made her parties approach known while speaking in Lok Sabha on 16th June 2014 when she demanded government of India to specifically address to “Kashmir issue” than talking of issues in Kashmir ), J&K not being federally a state of India like Punjab.
She has even gone to the extent of professing ( as chief Minister ) even on the floor of J&K Assembly some where in 2017 that whatever has been said in the PDPs Self Rule Document is well with in the frame work of Constitution of India and ‘many’ people do not understand that. PDP has remained in government with national parties and it appears that none of her party ally even while in government has any time expressed any objections to some contents of PDP ‘agenda’ and hence he has very plainly referred to her party agenda which has some international dimension too ( since she in her introductory references referred to “Kashmir issues” as the core item.
While introducing PDP as a political party she said: “Jeh Ek Maksad Se Bani Hui Hai .. Kyon Ki Jammu Kashmir Kisi Aam Riyasat Ki Tarah Nahin Hai … Hum Ne PDP Ki 1999 Mein Buniyaad Rakhi …. Is Bajah Se Ki Hum Chate The Ki Jo Mainstream…. Kyon Ki Hum Chahte The … Ke Jo… Hum Chahte The Ki.. Jo Main Stream Parties …….Abhi Tak Toe Esa Hai, Aaj Bhi Hai Ki Masla e Kashmir Ke Hal Ke Habale Se Aam Tor Par Bo Parties Awaaj Uthati Hain Jo Mainstream Mein Nahin Hoti Hain , Isiliye Mufti Sahib Ka Tajurba .. Jo Home Minister Bhi Rahe The Hai…. Ne Jeh Socha Ki Jo Main Stream Paty Jo Hindustan Ke Aaeen Mein Jakeenrakhti Hai Oosi Party Ko jammu Kashmir Ke Masle Ke Hal Ke Hawale Se Pesh Kash Karni Hogi”. Let us no enter into political vote bank controversies.
So plainly speaking there are two questions question to answer , Q -1 for Congress and NC , question is can these parties support the Mehbooba’s PDP’s agenda , which we can doubt they can not because PDP’s agenda is based on / rests in ” Kashmir Issue ” and Q- 2 for GOI, all Indian political parties and opinion makers for which they need to closely look into the Contents of PDP Self Rule Framework 2008 and what PDP President has said in her Press Conference on August 24, 2024 to find that does PDP’s Self Rule Framework fall within the provisions of constitution of India (with erstwhile princely state of J&K having acceded to India as integral part of Union of India J&K) as professed by Mehbooba Mufti or is not. As regards NC and Congress going with PDP Agenda focused on Kashmir issue there appears very less possibility of the two parties too going with PDP Agenda although they could profess that there are many issues in Kashmir worth addressing.
To be Continued…
(The writer is a Sr Journalist & a known
analyst of J&K affairs)