Time for PDP-BJP to burn the hatchet

BY: RANBIR MANHAS PUBLISHED ON AUGUST 25, 2018

Ever since PDP and BJP won massive people’s mandate in Kashmir and Jammu respectively it had become evident that both parties despite having divergent political ideologies though willy- nilly, will form the government by compromising their pre-poll stands. There is no denying that politics is the game of compromises but people of both Jammu and Kashmir regions felt cheated. “How could North pole and South pole come close”? They wondered. But they came and worked together for about three years.

Power hungry Congress never wanted PDP – BJP coalition to become a reality. It wanted to bring NC- Cong – PDP together. But both NC and PDP being traditional rivals refused to come in the loop leaving only two options behind; either PDP-BJP alliance or dissolution of the Assembly. Since dissolving the legislature and going for immediate elections was not a good option the second option was preferred although it took long two months to mature. In this backdrop it can rightly be said that the PDP-BJP coalition was a marriage of compulsion and not of choice. This option also respected the huge public mandate in all the three regions of the State.

The government worked well as long as Mufti Sahib remained alive. However, things began worsening when Mehbooba Mufti took over as the head of the coalition.

Tragedy about Mehbooba Mufti has been that over the years she has earned the image of a ‘soft separatist’. Therefore, as head of the coalition she couldn’t do much to come to the expectations of her voters. The Bhartya Janata Party also suffered the same problem. Known for its ultra nationalist character its cadres could not digest BJP’s ‘surrender’ before the ‘antinational’ PDP. By giving amnesty to over 10,000 stone palters; by registering cases against Army personals and by declaring ceasefire during Ramzan Month, Mehbooba did give a soothing message to her voters but this proved counter- productive as it pushed her partner in to an ugly situation in its constituency, Jammu.

Now with coming of a political governor (for the first time) in the history of Jammu and Kashmir it has become evidently clear that things are moving in a positive direction. By chanting ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ followed by his pro India stand before the national Media Farooq Abdullah also has indicated that he is ready to plunge into the muddy waters of Jehlum with open support of BJP and few disgruntled PDP and Congress MLAs. People may call Farooq Abdullah a ‘chameleon’ but this hardly matters in politics. Rather flexibility is the most important factor in the electoral politics where the aim is to capture power a fact which nobody else then Farooq Abdullah knows better. I know Kashmiris will not be happy with Farooq Abdullah but the country will like his adventure. He is accepted in Jammu as well.

Yesterday, I had given a wake-up call to Mehbooba Mufti on my twitter handle with the suggestion that she should bury her differences with BJP and form the government or be ready for a split and get politically relegated. My belief is that if both PDP and BJP decide to give free hand instead of interfering in each other’s constituencies they can give a sustainable and useful government in broader interest of this state. And it is the people’s mandate also. Farooq Abdullah has already taken the lead, now how Mehbooba Mufti responds to the emerging situation, this time alone will tell and that time may not be much far away.