Mangat indicates Cong-NC coalition, Omer rules out
This is exclusive news item based on an exclusive interview with NC President. Omer Abdullah and senior Congress leader and former Deputy CM, Mangat Ram sharma)
As the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are nearing, people across the state, are in great confusion and undecided on exercising their democratic right to caste votes.
Like all the states of India, Jammu and Kashmir has a multi-party democratic system of governance. Influential political parties include the National Conference (NC), Indian National Congress (INC) and the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP) besides BJP and other smaller regional parties like Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP).
After Amarnath land row which spread two months long agitation in Jammu and alleged economic blockage to Kashmir Valley, this time people of two major regions, Jammu and Kashmir Valley are divided against each other which could affect the formation of government in the state.
People of Jammu region, if not all but the majority in those districts which were affected and actively involved in the two months long agitation over Amarnath land row, are still angry with Kashmir centric leadership, and could (as observed) prefer this time to caste their votes to favour those candidates (not parties at all) who have shown their dedication for the cause of Jammu agitation and Jammuites.
As seen in the last elections that after dominating not only Kashmir’s politics but of whole state for years, National Conference’s (NC’s) influence waned in 2002, when INC and PDP formed a political alliance and rose to power. This time a major political change in expected in Jammu region as well as in Kashmir Valley.
People, in view of the present political wave, could prefer to caste their votes’ in-favour of Independent candidates who will assure people to fight against the discrimination with Jammu. Though some small political parties have started talking of fighting against the discrimination with Jammu but, it seems, will not work much as they have already favoured Kashmir centric leaderships during the past, for which Jammu people have paid heavy price.
At present situation, no political party is clear on public support. Traditional voters have changed their mind set this time and they want a change particularly in Jammu region thus no single party seems here getting major public support.
This time Shri Amarnath Yatra Sanghersh Samiti (SAYSS) would be having a major and responsible role to play, which should be based on long term development and ensuring the equality to Jammu region. However, Samiti leaders have announced that they will not participate in the poll process yet they have to do from behind the curtain.
On the other hand, Congress leaders are looking for some option other-than PDP this time.
As seen earlier, under the power sharing agreement, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad replaced PDP’s Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as the Chief Minister (CM) of Jammu and Kashmir in late 2005. However, in 2008, PDP withdrew its support from the government on the issue of temporary diversion of nearly 40 acres of land to Sri Amarnath Shrine Board and currently, the Governor’s rule is imposed in the state as per the provisions of Jammu and Kashmir constitution. The political conflict between the Congress and PDP clearly indicates that this time both will stay away from forming the coalition government.
As Congress leader and former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has already declared that Congress has a bitter experience of running the coalition with PDP and will not form any future government with PDP.
On the issue when contacted senior Congress leader and former Health Minister Mangat Ram Sharma, he claimed that Congress will emerge as a single largest party in all the three regions of the state in the coming Assembly elections. He indicated that Congress and NC could form the next government in the state.
Sharma asserted that the Cong image was affected a bit due to the land row agitation but the agitation which he described was a strong and fast growing storm will disappeared as fast as it came. He was very much confident that Congress will come back with massive majority and form the government.
Replying to a question, he said that Sangarsh Samiti is non political organization and will not participate in the elections.
To another question, he replied that Delimitation is not possible till the formation of Assembly. He added that for Delimitation, formation of fresh Assembly is a must thereafter an amendment in the constitution is needed.
Relevant to mention here that the Jammu and Kashmir is the only state in India which enjoys special autonomy under Article 370 of the Constitution of India, according to which, no law enacted by the Parliament of India, except for those in the field of Defense, Communication and Foreign Policy, will be extendable in Jammu and Kashmir unless it is ratified by the state legislature of Jammu and Kashmir.
When contacted NC President, Omer Abdullah out-rightly rejected any sort of coalition with Congress to form next government in the state. He claimed with confidence that Congress will not get even a single seat in Kashmir Valley while PDP could be hardly able to retain 5 to 6 seats. “People have suffered a lot and they will not prefer a coalition Govt in the state. NC will emerge as a major party and form Govt at its own”.
He added that it is up-to people, if they do not want a coalition which have given only destructions and damages to the state in last six years then they will definitely cast votes for NC to save the state from further damages and distractions.
When asked about the position of NC in Jammu region, he said, “What will happen, NC had won only one seat in the last elections in agitation troubled districts of Jammu region and what more than that could NC loose”. He added, “Let us see our workers could do best job and NC could win more seats even in these districts” (which he as described as 2-1/2 districts).