Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Aug 21: The Jammu and Kashmir administration seems to have given its nod to restart political activities in Kashmir, it became clear on Thursday when the authorities allowed the National Conference leaders to leave their residences and meet the party president Dr Farooq Abdullah at his Gupkar residence here.
The NC president carried on with the meetings on Friday also. “The administration allowing the NC leaders to meet and exchange their views is a signal that political process has been revived in Kashmir and in coming days we can witness more developments,” an analyst told Precious Kashmir.
It’s in place to mention here that soon after senior BJP leader and former union minister Manoj Sinha was appointed as the second Lieutenant Governor of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5 this year the leaders of the ruling BJP had announced that political process in the UT is all set to commence.
“After Sinha’s appointment it appears that ground has been left open for the politicians to come together again and become a part of the process,” the analyst added.
An observer said, “The NC leaders will have to weigh their options as they will have to come up with a new strategy and slogans to reach out to the people. After August 5 2019—when the Centre announced its decision to abrogate J&K’s special status and divided it into two union territories—political scenario in Kashmir has changed drastically. The National Conference and other regional parties are aware about this fact and the politicians know it very well that they cannot beat round the bush anymore.”
He said, “By allowing the resumption of political process, the Centre has put the ball in the court of the local politicians. Now, it’s for them to decide their future course of action. They have to take a call whether they have to fight for restoration of J&K’s statehood or want the state’s special status back.”
Another analyst said, “Politicians have to start from scratch as the road ahead is not going to be that easy. They have not been left with their slogans of autonomy and self rule. Nor can they tell the people that they will fight for getting the positions of Sadar-e-Riyasat or Wazir-e-Azam back. The only issues on which they can build their narrative are restoration of J&K’s statehood and development. Rest all has become history.”
He said, “At present Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory which will have a legislative assembly after elections are held. The LG is the boss and politicians even after coming into power will have to seek his approval to take any major decisions.”
