Controversy over the steps to be taken at the government level in treating the sensitive issue of Kashmir is always evident in the discussions of Kashmir scholars. The political developments in Kashmir following the recent dissolution of the Legislative Assembly have given another dramatic twist to Kashmir politics. The complexity of the issue is compounded by the history of political parties, the people, separatist groups and foreign intervention in Kashmir.
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After the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Conference (NC) joined hands to form a government in Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP decided to hastily dismiss the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. This decision is sure to have a negative impact on India, the world's largest democracy. This decision will also strengthen the image that the state is being coerced by the central powers.
As soon as former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Sajjad Lone of the People's Conference demanded the formation of a new government, Governor Satyapal Malik, in his jurisdiction, decided to dissolve the Legislative Assembly in accordance with Article 53 (b) of sub-section (2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution. While supporting the decision to dismiss the assembly, Governor Shri. Malik said, "It is very unlikely for political parties whose ideologies are at odds and whose ways of achieving their political objectives are different to come together and form a stable government to the state." He further mentioned from the context of the current security scenario in the state, the state is in dire need of a 'stable and capable' government. Speaking at an event in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, the governor also slammed the Raloa government at the Center. The central government was preparing to appoint Sajjad Lone as the Chief Minister. He made such an allegation. He said, "I would like to mention once again that if New Delhi had been heard, the government led by Sajjad Lone would have had to approve it. But if I had done that, history would never have forgiven me. That is why I took the decision to dismiss the assembly in one fell swoop. Because of this decision, I don't think much about how people name me or how. ”
Turning away from an unprecedented situation where political parties like the National Conference and the PDP came together to establish power was tantamount to denying the golden opportunity to strengthen the fragile democracy in Kashmir. Also, in a sensitive state like Kashmir, when it comes time to form a government through a democratic process, New Delhi and the BJP do not interfere in it.
Whatever the political maths behind the dismissal of the Assembly, one thing is for sure, the move being made in the current scenario could affect the process of unification of Jammu and Kashmir with the Indian Union, as well as add to divisions and bigotry. This political move will erode the confidence of the people of the Valley in New Delhi, making them more skeptical, especially given that the decision to dissolve the Assembly will neither benefit New Delhi nor the people of Kashmir.
Immediately after the governor's decision to dismiss the assembly, former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted, "I still have a lot of good and bad experiences in my 26-year political career. But there is no such thing, this decision convinced me. Anyway. I am especially grateful to Omar Abdullah and Ambika Soni for their willingness to help make the impossible possible. ' Omar Abdullah immediately retweeted: 'I agree with you. I didn't even think you would say anything and I would retweet it. Indeed, politics is a different world. Wishes to you for the next battle. Once again, I hope that the good of the people will win in the end. ' The two leaders did not utter a word when the decision to dismiss the assembly started on Twitter.
The split in the PDP began in June when the governor's rule was first imposed in the state. For example, as soon as the governor's rule took effect, the PDP's Shia leaders revolted against the party. Just hours before the assembly's dismissal, a political drama unfolded in the state, with PDP leader Muzaffar Beg openly supporting the third front being formed by the PC's Sajjad Lone. After June, 2018, internal disputes were also raging in the National Conference. Thus, the decision to dissolve the Assembly not only avoided a possible rift between the PDP and the National Conference, but also succeeded in gaining political prominence for both parties through their demands for self-government and sovereignty.
In the eyes of the people of the valley, both the National Conference and the PDP are thieves. Both sides are deliberately and consciously cooperating with each other to discourage the Kashmiri people by uniting them on the brink of conflict. The New Delhi leadership, which has consistently turned a blind eye to the misdeeds of both the parties, has made the PDP and the National Conference more aggressive and arrogant, leading to a sense of resentment against the central forces in the minds of the people. The decision to dismiss the Akali Legislative Assembly without even giving the PDP and the National Conference a chance to test their strength in the House underscored once again that New Delhi and the Governor were not prepared to face the reality.
Secondly, the dismissal of the Assembly is likely to darken the mist of suspicion against New Delhi, as there is outrage among the people as the Central Government has already wrapped up the report submitted by the Kashmir-appointed correspondents in 2010. In view of all this, the New Delhi-controlled government in Jammu and Kashmir, which was formed after 1953 in the Nyungand Valley, is likely to be used by political parties and separatist groups to incite people against the government. The good things that have been done in the state during the Governor's tenure, such as the perception of a stable state in the state, and the success of the security forces in capturing the leaders of all terrorist organizations, have also helped to curb terrorism.
Thirdly, the people of Kashmir are of the view that the BJP has failed to reach a majority of 44 to regain power. However, since the imposition of the governor's rule, the BJP has tried its best to reassert its political grip on Kashmir. Congress leader and former state chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had also accused the BJP of trying its best to divide the party in the state. The decision by the governor to dismiss the assembly at such a time has sent a message to the people that the BJP has lost its grip on power in the state, believing that it has no chance of re-establishing power in the Valley and that no grand alliance can take shape.
Eventually, in the forthcoming Assembly elections, the demand for sovereignty and the right to self-determination, respectively, will become more and more prevalent, with the National Conference and the PDP consistently strengthening the split. Both the parties will raise their issues and in this uproar the issue of good governance, which the people of the valley really need, will be suppressed. There is no doubt that separatist, terrorist organizations and their leaders across the border will work tirelessly to take advantage of this situation to widen the rift between New Delhi and ordinary Kashmiris. It is a sad fact that New Delhi's attitude towards us is depressing due to the decision to dissolve the Assembly.
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