The 2024 assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir have placed National Conference in the cradle of power and Bharatiya Janata Party as the main opposition. More than the National Conference, the BJP is in a strong position, given the numbers as an opposition. This is perhaps for the first time since the inception of parliamentary democracy in J&K that the opposition has emerged so strong as a single entity. The takeaway of these historic elections is that the Valley has given a sweeping mandate to the NC and Jammu to the BJP. Signals are straight and clear. This is the truth that should guide the way forward for the two main political parties of J&K.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah might have deciphered the anger of voters with the dispensation post abrogation of Article 370 manifesting into vote against the BJP in Kashmir and mountainous regions of the so-called Chenab Valley and the Pir Panchal but Jammu has refused to follow the trend. Why? Everyone knows why. Anyway, this is curious given the demographic landscape of the Union Territory and worrisome also for the larger interest of Jammu and Kashmir.
Whatever the mandate, the two main political parties of Jammu and Kashmir must unite in true democratic spirit and coordinate to carry forward the gains of peace and normalcy dawning in the Valley since 2019, leading to holistic development and huge fillip in economic activities. The political slugfest of leg-pulling will take back the UT to traumatic old days of terror violence, stone pelting like intifada, bandh and hartal culture. Let politics take the rear seat and public interest remain guiding philosophy for the ruling outfit as also the opposition. The two parties will have to rise to the occasion, iron out differences amicably and to work in cohesion for people of both the regions-Jammu and Kashmir. While the BJP has to play the role of ‘big brother’ because of its commanding position at the Centre and the National Conference should eschew tendencies to fall in the trap of reactionary elements within, who may try to play the spoil sport for numerous reasons. The onus mainly lies on Omar Abdullah to save his government’s boat from sinking. Credit goes to him for breathing good vibes post his swearing in. He has been very candid over cooperation between the UT administration and the Centre. He has done well by keeping the Congress at bay, the political DNA of which continues to remain ‘hate Modi’. This syndrome has the potential to disturb the political equations and push the present dispensation to wall.
The Chief Minister must also rein into NC ‘brave-heart’ brigade, whose ‘daredevil’ acts can jeopardize his efforts of ‘cooperation and coordination’ with the Centre. The alleged disrespect to the National Anthem during the swearing-in ceremony in Srinagar by one of his newly elected MLAs has not gone well with the patriotic Jammu. Though the police have reportedly taken cognizance of the act yet this unfortunate incident is in very bad taste. If such elements think that they can play to galleries by whipping up anti-India passions, they are wrong. They must understand that the people of Kashmir have developed a stake in peace that has brought them cheer during the past over five years. They are no more interested in such attempts to derail the normalization process.
The National Conference has to tread cautiously in view of sensitivities involved across the Union Territory. It should not allow people to believe that ‘anti-India’ elements can enjoy ‘free run’ after the formation of the new government. Any such impression will embolden the peace breakers and enemy across the border. One wishes that yesterday’s Ganderbal incident is not construed as an act motivated by change of guard in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chief Minister and NC chief Farooq Abdullah have done well by castigating the actors involved in the gruesome Gagangir act. For a change, Farooq Abdullah has lashed out at Pakistan for perpetrating terror attacks in J&K and stated that Islamabad will have to stop terror incidents if it wants friendly relations with India. A strong votary of talks with Pakistan, he says how can there be talks if the neighbor kills innocent people and then aspires for dialogue. “First stop the killings”, he advised Pakistan.
Now that the government formation is over in Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister will have to work towards ‘confidence building measures’ with the people of Jammu and the Centre, as the UT has a plethora of issues that need to be sorted out. This calls for mutual trust and cooperation. That is what democracy is all about.