Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Aug 27: National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Conference, Awami National Conference (ANC) and CPI (M) joining hands to fight for the restoration of pre-August 5, 2019 position has infused some energy into the “lifeless” politics of the Valley.
Since the day NC President Dr Farooq Abdullah has chaired the All Party Meeting at his Gupkar residence here the political activities, which were stalled since August 5, 2019, seem to have recommenced. The Gupkar declaration issued by these parties has demanded restoration of J&K’s special status and statehood. On August 5 last year the Centre had abrogated Articles 370 and 35-A and had bifurcated erstwhile State into two Union Territories, J&K and Ladakh. More than 40 mainstream leaders, including three former J&K chief ministers were detained after the move. At present PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and few others are under detention while others have been released.
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Post August 5, 2019, political scene in Jammu and Kashmir has changed drastically. J&K has turned into a Union Territory which is directly controlled by the Centre at present. If the assembly elections are held without J&K’s statehood being restored it would mean that Lieutenant Governor will be the final authority and all the politicians will have to abide by him.”
He said that during the past seventy years regional leaders have enjoyed unlimited powers as they were the final decision makers. “Many people are of the opinion that the slogan of getting everything back may not work as scrapping J&K’s special status was the Centre’s well thought decision and it had done a lot of home work for the same. No one can stop the political parties from demanding J&K’s special status back as it’s their right. But the history stands witness to the fact that whatever, was taken away from J&K during the past 70-years was never returned. Nor could any of the politicians get it back. But maybe this time around they may succeed,” the analyst added.
An observer said that revival of the political activities is a welcome step as it can go a long way in empowering people again. “This time around politicians in Kashmir may not find it that easy to come into the power. After delimitation exercise is completed Jammu and Kashmir will almost have equal number of assembly seats, so chief minister could be either from Kashmir or Jammu region,” he added.
Recently, National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah, in an interview stated that the parties which have come together haven’t decided whether they will contest jointly or won’t contest the polls at all. “We have to chalk out our future strategy collectively,” he had said.
