BJP overshadows PDP in J&K

EVERYTHING FAIR IN ‘LOVE, WAR & POLITICS’

DOST KHAN/ ANCHOR

JAMMU: Known for pursuing agenda of fundamentalist forces and raising bogey of dialogue with Pakistan, ruling People’s Democratic Party in Jammu and Kashmir is being dominated by none but its own alliance partner BJP by virtue of ruling the Centre.
The late Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, after joining hands with the BJP on March 1, 2015 amid the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, termed it as holy alliance besides naming it South Pole-North Pole combination.
Although, Mufti Sayeed, on terms and conditions of ‘Agenda of Alliance’, carried forward the party and its leadership inspite of resentment from some corners. His demise, on January 7, 2016 after a brief illness however, created vacuum in the political arena, especially among the PDP cadre following which the Governor Rule was imposed in the state.
Then came the climax. Senior PDP leadership objected further alliance with the saffron brigade keeping in view the Kashmiri sentiments but the BJP, which had framed historic government in the State, held parleys with Mehbooba Mufti by incorporating its stalwart leader Ram Madhav, who acted as interlocutor between both the parties.
Finally after nearly three months of Governor Rule, the day arrived again and Mehbooba Mufti was sworn in as first women Chief Minister of the sensitive State on April 4, 2016 amidst inviting criticism from opposition parties and the people of Kashmir as well.
Pledged to solve Kashmir imbroglio, to appease people of Kashmir and determined to bring them closer to rest of the country by filling up the regional gaps, Mehbooba Mufti instead of getting stronger and strengthened, not only lost the ‘leadership quality’ in her own party but also trust deficit increased among Kashmiris for her and the happenings, did blessing in disguise for the BJP, which emerged as dominant coalition partner.
“Mehbooba Mufti during days when out of power used to be a firebrand leader and her voice in the Kashmir valley was believed to be supreme,” political experts said. They said that the PDP-BJP formed coalition government on developmental  plank by inking few commitments in ‘Agenda of Alliance’ but the document was hardly implemented in toto.
“Either it is abrogation of Article 370, revocation of AFSPA, opening of more trade routes linking Pakistan aiming people to people contact or any other issue in the interest of Kashmir was diplomatically sidelined by the Centre headed BJP,” said an expert.
They further added that Mehbooba Mufti often met the Prime Minister, discussed Kashmir, its solution, dialogue with Pakistan besides other issues, but every time she retuned ’empty handed’ except bunch of assurances.
“Once who used to criticise BJP for saffronising or ‘communalising’ atmosphere in the country, the same Mehbooba Mufti–now has a firm belief that only Prime Minister Narendra Modi can solve and normalise Kashmir,” said another political analyst.
He opined that BJP played a smart card by keeping Mehbooba Mufti in the forefront to syringe their ideology among the people of Kashmir.
“It also cannot be ruled out that one fine day, BJP may abrogate Article 370 taking PDP leader by surprise,” they expressed.
“BJP is making full use of its rule in the Centre particularly when it comes to Kashmir,” sources said and added that the saffron brigade is riding on Mehbooba’s back to solve decades’ old mess.
“BJP has not only pumped funds into Jammu and Kashmir in the name of development but simultaneously, also roped in political empowerment, military, mastermind and think tanks to save and solve Kashmir, which PDP is failing to understand,” claimed sources.
They however said that the ball is now in PDP’s court because BJP has already played its shot of everything is fair in “love, war and politics”.