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‘Aya Ram Gaya Ram’ politics to gain momentum in Kashmir
KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 12/2/2019 4:57:53 PM
SRINAGAR, Dec 1: With August 5 completely changing the political scenario of Jammu and Kashmir, the regional parties in Valley have become vulnerable to “Aya Ram Gaya Ram” politics.
“Aya Ram Gaya Ram” politics is referred to the changing of parties frequently by opportunistic politicians to remain in power.
Signs of this type of politics have started becoming visible as some senior leaders of various political parties by going against their respective party stands are making statements or indulging in acts, which their top leadership does not approve of.
They have been dropping hints for being ready for any new political formation minus Abdullah and Mufti families.
Such voices can get louder with every passing day in case of J&K going for assembly polls soon. Till now, there are no signs of an early election in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, even as the Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu had recently talked about polls soon. But the delimitation process with which more seats are to be added in the assembly particularly in Jammu is yet to begin.
A report from New Delhi quoting official sources had recently stated that the 10 phased delimitation process in J&K would take 12 months for completion. If one goes by the report, then the assembly polls cannot be held next year also.
Another important point is whether the two important key players, NC and PDP, would take part in assembly elections in union territory with articles 370 and 35A and statehood of J&K gone. NC was advocating greater autonomy for J&K while PDP self rule.
Top leaders Dr Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti continue under detention and are unable to make statements about their future strategy. Their views partially reach to the people through the statements two NC MPS, Mohammad Akbar Lone and Justice Hasnain Masoodi and tweets of Iltija Mufti, daughter of Mehbooba Mufti. Lone recently said NC will participate in polls in a state and not in a UT, but added that a decision in this direction can be taken only after Farooq, Omar and other are released.
In case the polls are held without delimitation process or after delimitation and NC and PDP do not take part, the “Aya Ram Gaya Ram” politics will gain momentum. PDP is most vulnerable to it. This became very clear after the death of its founder and patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. Several senior leaders in the party have been feeling themselves fit for the post of chief minister or deputy chief minister and do not lose time in activating their Delhi connections for the purpose- Be it immediately after the death of Mufti, or after the collapse of Mehbooba led coalition government.
The top leadership of the party had to expel some leaders and some others revolted and joined other parties and a few are now in the process of raising a banner of revolt against Mehbooba. Only time can tell, how successful she would be in tacking such issues.
Even as Abdullah family is seemingly having a strong grip over NC, but there are indications that some of its leaders are also willing to be part of new political formation, being encouraged by centre. Congress too is not safe. The party was badly hit by infighting among various factions in past as well.
Regarding BJP, which now wants to completely dominate and command J&K politics, it is the Modi factor and not the performance or goodwill of its local leaders, which is keeping the party together in Jammu. Reports indicate that most people in Jammu are not happy with BJP leaders for their performance when they were in power with PDP.
The central leadership of BJP must surely taking note of it, particularly since their party could not do that well in the recently held block development council polls in Jammu despite Congress, NC and PDP not participating.