IT WILL BE ADVISABLE FOR STATE BJP NOT TO REPEAT THE UTTER SURRENDER TO COALITION PARTNER AS IN BIHAR AND EARLIER IN MAHARASHTRA – R.K.Upadhyay
Dear Friends,
Subject: PDP-BJP Govt In Kashmir—Flawed Beginning.
A new coalition government of PDP and BJP has taken shape in the State of Jammu and Kashmir on March 1 (Sunday) in the august presence of the Prime Minister. Many have correctly called it “historic”–two inimical forces joining hands for the ostensible purpose of bringing in all-round development and maintaining peace in the State or for sharing the spoils of office, if one will like to put it that way. Both the parties were found keen on forming the government somehow or other, the principles and ethics were given a go-bye. There have no doubt been some plus points & two opposing forces agreeing to work together. Conceptually this is highly praiseworthy and worthy of emulation.
But, then, we have since seen the Agreement, romantically called “Agenda of the Alliance” between the PDP and the BJP over the formation of the government in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
On the purpose of the “Alliance”, it has been said, “The PDP and the BJP have entered into a “Governance Alliance” based on an agreement and agenda which is an effort towards seeking national reconciliation on Jammu and Kashmir”—,a delightfully vague statement. That has indeed been the hallmark of the CMP!
Well, the Alliance document is a initio flawed and violative of the rules of governance of States working within the Union of India. (The 10 page -long CMP-Common Minmum Programme- can be seen at http/bharatkalyan97.blogspot.in/2015/03/framework-of-governance-for-J-pdp-bjp.html). There has not been a single statement in the CMP, pledging that the newly-formed government intends to rule a State that is an integral part of India—a reiteration that was highly called for, especially in the light of the known credential of the PDP component of the Alliance.
The new government committed a faus pax on the first day in the first hour after taking oath. The Chief Minister apparently spoke his mind “honestly” and, as “The Asian Age” of March 2,2015,says in its lead editorial,” the Mufti does a disservice to history when he proposes that the terrorists (also separatists) and their mentors (in Pakistan) let peaceful election be held” in the State. This is a blatant insult to the Union of India, the armed forces and the people of the state.
So, also comments the ‘Statesman’of March 3, 2015:
“Such is its lust for a fragment of the power equation in Jammu and Kashmir that the Modi-Shah leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party may opt to put its pride in its pocket ~ but is it authorised to ignore an insult to India at large, its security apparatus and electoral machinery in particular? So too the people of that state who have increasingly involved themselves in the electoral process? Within moments of assuming office, chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed sold India short by groveling in gratitude before both Pakistan and the separatist All Party Hurriyat Conference for permitting the smooth conduct of assembly elections.”
Then, let us talk of Art. 370. The care issue that binds Kashmir to the rest of India. The point No 10 in the CMP reads:
“While recognising the different positions and appreciating the perceptions BJP and PDP have on the constitutional status of J&K, considering the political and legislative realities, the present position will be maintained on all the constitutional provisions pertaining to J&K, including the special status in the Constitution of India.”
On March 2, NDTV highlights included, “there is no change in the party’s (BJP’s) stand on Kashmir.” The party’s stand, according to the BJP’s Election Manifesto of 2014, was: “BJP reiterates its stand on the Article 370, and will discuss this with all stakeholder and remains committed to the abrogation of this article.” That being the situation, how could the State BJP arrogate to themselves the right to shelve the issue for six years, when theoretically they may not be in power in the Centre? The abrogation of Art. 370 is not a BJP issue. And, the PDP and the BJP have no right or claim to take any decision on it. How or who are they to deny what rightly belongs to India as a whole. It is an all-India demand. The naivete displayed by the State BJP is stunning and beyond their call of duty.
The Alliance document permeates with what the State government proposes to do on LoC matters, on things like people to people contact across the border, international financing etc.—-, issues falling more in the territory of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, having serious security implications. The document will, therefore, require proper legal scrutiny as well. We hope outfits like the Panun Kashmir will look into that.
As we have said in the title, the CMP or the Aliance has a flawed beginning. It has started showing up straightaway. Eight PDP legislators raised the demand for returning to Kashmir the remains of the infamous terrorist involved in Parliament attack on December 31, 2001, Afzal Guru.
Well, friends, it will be a herculean task to make a CMP as in this case work out unless both the parties work with clear mind & firm resolve, as agreed upon, even if flawed.
Vandemataram,
Your sevak,
D.C. Nath
(Former Spl. Director, IB)
