Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Jan 24: Peoples Conference saying goodbye to the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) has once again tilted the political equation in Kashmir.
According to the media reports the PC leaders are in touch with New Delhi and so are the leaders of National Conference. “It seems something is cooking up in the national capital,” reports claim.
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “It appears that politicians are in no mood to confront New Delhi as they have realized that they cannot have the cake and eat it too. They are softening their stands to ensure that they don’t end up in more trouble.”
He said, “The Peoples Conference pulling out from the PAGD could be just a beginning. If the other constituents of the PAGD are unable to sort out their differences it can lead to the alliance taking yet another hit.”
The analyst said, “There is no harm in leaders from Kashmir visiting New Delhi and working out a strategy to at least get J&K’s statehood back. These politicians are aware of the fact that if J&K continues to function as a union territory then they will have to act as second fiddles even after the assembly elections are held.”
An observer said, “The Peoples Conference pulling out from the PAGD is a big setback to alliance as Sajad Lone’s party was one of the major constituents of the conglomerate. After PC’s pullout, the PAGD is all about the NC and Peoples Democratic Party other parties are too small.”
The observer said, “As the things are shaping up it seems that the NC and PDP too are also not on the same page. Leaders of both these parties have not met since the day results of the District Development Council elections were announced.”
He said, “It appears that the regional parties in Kashmir may fight the assembly elections on their own. The chances of these political formations entering into any sort of pre-poll alliance look bleak.”
Another analyst said, “The recent developments have turned leaders from Kashmir silent. They are not talking about Article 370 and getting back everything. They are issuing statements occasionally and are trying to stay away from the controversies.”
Referring to the latest statement of National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah that he is ready to take the COVID-19 vaccine, the analyst said, “Omar took on former Uttar Pradesh chief minister, Akhilesh Yadav, head on and supported the Centre’s initiative. The change is visible. Kashmiri politicians are avoiding the Centre’s criticism for the sake of criticism.”
