Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, June 17: Most mainstream leaders in Kashmir, including Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah, Sajad Lone and others who were released during the past few months have gone into a silent mode.
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Politicians, who used to comment on every issue prior to August 5, 2019 (when Centre revoked J&K’s special status and bifurcated it into two union territories) now don’t even talk about the issues which touch the skin of a common man.”
He said, “It appears that Kashmiri leaders are in no mood to say anything which can put them in trouble. They don’t want to venture into troubled waters anymore and have taken a back seat.”
An observer said that bureaucrat turned politician, Shah Faesal, who had actively participated in all the activities prior to August 5, 2019 after his release from detention has not issued a single statement. “Peoples Conference led by Sajad Lone issues statements occasionally but it to seems to have lost that enthusiasm. The new faces and parties which had emerged as alternatives for NC and PDP are slowly becoming a history,” he added.
“Political activities in J&K have come to a grinding halt. Omar Abdullah has been camping in New Delhi for nearly a month now. He also seems in no mood to return. His father Dr Farooq Abdullah, who was known for taking anyone head on, too seems to have gone into an oblivion,” the observer said.
Another analyst said, “Barring Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party none of the Kashmir based parties seem to be that active. Last month a senior NC leader, Aga Ruhullah had pointed out that the silence being maintained by the party’s top leadership is not taking National Conference anywhere. He (Aga Ruhullah) had even removed the NC chief spokesman designation from his twitter account.”
He said, “Post August 5, 2019, politicians in Kashmir have become uncomfortable. Ouster of the Peoples Conference leader Junaid Mattu from Srinagar Mayor’s office is an indication that regional parties in the Valley have lost grip over the political system. More than anything else these parties are fighting for survival. Political activities have also been hit by the outbreak of COVID-19 in the Valley. Another factor, which has hampered the revival of these parties is that there is no certainty about when the assembly elections will be held. No polls can take place till the delimitation process is completed. But the political parties need to put their act together to make an appearance on Kashmir’s political scene.”
‘Kashmir leaders in no mood to say anything which can put them in trouble’
