In 2015, the political landscape of Jammu-Kashmir witnessed something that was neither quite expected nor anticipated by political experts, the alliance between PDP and the BJP.
After seven years, PDP is lurking in the shadows while the BJP is exercising its control in Jammu-Kashmir.
The circumstances that brought two polar opposites together have been debated over and over again. What was the wisdom in a Hindutva right-wing based political party joining forces with a Kashmir based political party that had seen huge win in the region, knowing very well that unstable nature of coalitions.
While it has been a topic of discussion and ridicule for quite some time, we have rarely got an detailed insider look at the party mindset of People’s Democratic Party at the time of this alliance. The reasons for it, need for it and ultimately what was going to be achieved.
But a recent article written by PDP Srinagar Youth President Zuhaib Yousf Mir, published in ‘Greater Kashmir’ gives an eye-opening insight into details.
We try to decode the article by Mr. Yousf and see what was being said at the time of the alliance and how much they knew of the coming betrayal that followed.
A Shrewd But Risky Move.
In the article Zuhaib Yousf mentions that the coalition between PDP and BJP was about hope and dreams of the people of J&K.
The very first reason given for this ‘Agenda for Alliance’ is the growing popularity of the Narendra Modi led BJP. The 2014 general elections had seen India gripped by the Modi fever as they swept the polls moving into power.
The BJP phenomenon soon spread to assembly elections with impressive results for the right wing party none so more than the 25 seats they gained in Jammu in 2014.
It is argued that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed seeing this rise in power and importance decided to take a leap of faith.
“The bull had entered the premises and it was only logical that in order to keep their vicious agenda in check,” Zuhaib writes.
Looking from a neutral perspective, Mufti Sayeed was probably looking at the larger picture. He understood that BJP’s rise to power was not ordinary and that keeping them in check in Jammu-Kashmir where they were gaining traction was vital.
As the old adage goes ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer‘. Of course things didn’t work out in hindsight, but this was a shrewd albeit a risky political move by a veteran statesman.
BJP had always gone to Kashmir on the agenda that once in power they would remove Articles 370 and 35A. PDP’s timely act delayed them from doing so. Delayed but not denied, mind you.
The alliance would be based around this ‘ground rule’.
READ ALSO : Zuhaib Yousuf Mir, The IAS Aspirant Who Joined PDP.
The People’s Choice.
The 2014 assembly elections in J&K meant BJP was the one party that had run PDP close with the latter edging the former 28 to 25 seats.
Zuhaib Yousf writes in his article that the decision was taken for peace, certainty and regional stability in J&K. The alliance with BJP was a move designed to stablize the region and ensure people’s mandate is respected.
Although there is weight to the argument it can be said given time and better political sense from other parties it would have been possible for PDP to come to power in J&K without entering a coalition with BJP.
Zuhaib also argues that since BJP managed to oust Congress and polarize the Jammu region, keeping them out of power and exploring other options for government formation could have brought a religious divide and destablize the region.
There is a strong support for this argument as Kashmir was still reeling from protests that affected the valley only a few years back. The Jammu-Kashmir divide was evident during that time and as such keeping BJP completely out of the political process when they were given a strong mandate from the people of Jammu could have resulted in flaming of communal tensions in J&K.
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Vajpayee’s BJP vs Modi’s BJP.
Jammu & Kashmir under the central leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee had seen a new era. Trade route across border was operational.
The notorious STF was disbanded as Zuhaib points out in his article. Vajpayee’s policy of the healing touch and Mufti Sayeed’s astute command was slowly reviving normalcy in Kashmir.
Even in this Modi-led BJP, the PDP did managed to control the other half of the alliance pretty well. Security personnel and bunkers were removed from many areas. Many stone pelters were offered a second chance with their release and reform. All of this did agitate BJP who were on a hyper nationalistic campaign across India.
But if the PDP office thought they were going to keep silent for long they were fooling themselves.
There was going to be no healing touch from this BJP regime, they were going to use the iron fist.
The End of Alliance
After Mufti Sayeed’s passing the alliance was going nowhere. His death took away the political heft that anchored this uneasy alliance.
If the PDP assumed that BJP would stay in the coalition and didn’t see it coming it was a mistake of their own making. When Zuhaib Yousf says BJP shook with their right hand and kept a rock in their left, it means the party must have been vary of how things could change.
The signs were there the ideological and political motives were not aligned. With 2019 elections looming BJP wanted to look stronger and sterner.
With tensions growing over stand against separatists, the pardon of stone pelters and Kathua rape case where PDP opposed BJP’s policies the writing was on the wall.
Though it did appear as if PDP was almost caught by surprise when BJP did broke out and left the state without a government in 2018.
Mufti Sayeed’s plan to counter BJP while staying in loop with them was well and truly over.
The Question of Naya Kashmir
Zuhaib in his article boldly raises questions over the marketing of Kashmir as ‘Naya Kashmir’ under the rule of the Centre.
With its downgrading from state to Union Territory, Zuhaib asks has the Kashmir conundrum been abated by the majoritarian might or is the alienation being reinforced by the unconstitutional robbing of the rights of the people of J&K?
The topic is surely up for debate, there has been a steady approach by the the Centre in dealing with issues in Kashmir.
The days of street protests stone pelting maybe distant, but is there any place left for political dissent?
The rule of the law is enforced in a strict totalitarian manner and when Zuhaib Yousf asks that is the Kashmir conundrum abated through might or robbing of the rights of the people of J&K? The questions deserve a close and thorough examination.
Asking key questions is the first step towards gaining the confidence of people but to win them over, a clear political thought needs to be propagated.
You can read Zuhaib Yousf Mir’s Article in Greater Kashmir here: A cynical deception
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