19th December 2018

After the completion of 6 months of Governor Rule on 19th December 2018, the President’s rule was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir. This day took us in a situation which erupted in our state two decades back. With this shift now, the whole administrative system of the state is completely in the hands of the central government which since then has been running the state of Jammu and Kashmir. In the last 6 months, many things changed in Jammu and Kashmir after the Governor Satya Pal Malik took over the reins of the state. The Governor started very slowly but before the end of his six month period he completely has shaken up the system of Jammu and Kashmir. For many people in the state, the rule of Satya Pal Malik came as a blessing in disguise as many of the works which were struck for many years started rolling and even moved very fast. For this particular segment of the society, the Governor’s rule was a better system and they didn’t miss the presence of ministers and MLA’s.

It is pertinent to mention here that one of the biggest achievements of the present Governor was that he announced local body polls and even conducted them very successfully. Although the National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) boycotted these elections and thought that it may give them political mileage, I think they somewhere lost out on this idea as BJP all because of their boycott was able to win even in the Kashmir region. Ever since these polls were over I felt that entirely new political stakeholders have taken the ground in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the eruption of this new political process was not sudden and also not so smooth because it brought with it various rapid changes. The PDP is the biggest sufferer of this new system as it has lost big political ground in Kashmir region amid desertions and rebellious behaviour of its leaders.  Many may agree with me that NC has also suffered in Kashmir with this new emerging political set up. But NC is now compensating its lost ground by getting leaders from PDP, Congress and BJP to join NC in Kashmir as well as in Jammu. 

The rise of Sajjad Lone in Kashmir politics is one of the factors which have dented the political space of all regional parties and even mainstream parties like Congress, which now has to face a new opposition in the region. Besides, the Jammu region could not stay aloof from new political changes under the Governor Satya Pal Malik. Various newly formed social organizations here are actively playing communal and regional cards to instigate the masses to derive political mileage in upcoming elections next year. The Kashmir based parties don’t have much stake in Jammu but the BJP and Congress have to fight it out in upcoming elections for their political survival. In Jammu, both the Congress and BJP are thrilled with results of local bodies’ elections and are sure to form the next government in the state on their own. Also, the Ladakh region was not reluctant to the ongoing changes and it too has deserted the BJP. And now the Ladakhis have started raising their political demands independently, the latest result of which is that they have recently succeeded in getting a university for their region. Moreover, the people there are now shifting from the earlier demand of UT status for Ladakh and are demanding trifurcation of the state (like Jammuites)  in order to find a solution to the problems of Ladakh region.

The year 2108 is leaving behind so many changes in the state and importantly all the political parties here are on a bad knee amid the ongoing political crisis. In the past 4 years, we witnessed a very high kind of polarization in the whole of Jammu and Kashmir. Interestingly, this polarization was not just on the lines of region but also on the lines of religion. I think it will be very difficult for the next government in Jammu and Kashmir to bridge this prevailing level of polarization soon. Although the Governor dissolved the assembly by citing horse trading, a major role has to be played by the political parties in the state (who are interested in political stability) to safeguard the future of the state. Much more will come once the assembly elections are declared in Jammu and Kashmir and if not declared then the President’s rule may extend as per the needs of the new government in New Delhi.

Hit Or Miss Situation

Since 2014, Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has seen tremendous rise in Jammu and Kashmir.  Following the 2014 assembly victory in the state, the BJP has again turned victorious in just concluded urban local bodies elections by winning a record number of municipal councils and committees. In these elections the BJP has been able to even register victory in the Kashmir region. An impressive show was put up by the party in Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) by getting its corporators elected for the posts of Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Although the independent corporators and congress corporators joined hands in JMC to challenge the BJP but were left behind. At the moment, BJP has a maximum number of chairpersons and vice chairpersons across the state in various municipal councils and committees. However, BJP even saw few defeats (doda, udhampur, kathua and leh municipalities) which have been ignored and managed to be shown as a BJP mandate all over. With upcoming Lok sabha elections, these defeats may impact the plans of BJP in the state. Indeed, BJP has also suffered a major setback in Ladakh after its MP from Ladakh, Thupstan Chhewang, resigned from the party as well from the parliament. These all situations suggest that on ground Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not a priority for some of the voters.

Last week, the nine-phased panchayat polls began in the state amid the boycott of National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). These elections are being taken on a high note as it will lead to revival of grass root democracy in the state.  Infact, the rural voters turned up in large numbers in two phases of panchayat polls. Even for maintaining peace in both regions during this election season the government is taking several steps but still there are major law and order problems which now and then are erupting in both the regions. I feel on one side steps are being taken for revival of grass root democracy and on the other side law and order problems are increasing with every passing day in the state. Firstly, the killings of BJP leader Anil Parihar and his brother Ajeet Parihar in Kishtwar district disturbed the social atmosphere in Kishtwar and Doda. I believe both these killings in the Jammu region were done to create communal tension in the region. Such was the level of anger in people of Kishtwar on these killings that Union Minister and sitting MP from the constituency Dr Jitendra Singh was 'heckled' by angry mourners after the cremation of Parihar brothers. Secondly, the kidnappings and killing of young boys last week in Kashmir region has sent shock waves across the state. The video of execution of one of the young boys has also gone viral on social media. These incidents have further deteriorated the already strained situation in Kashmir. 

For me there are some more strange things which are happening in the political circles here. In Jammu region, BJP is finding its victories amid falling vote percentage and in Kashmir, the NC’s and PDP’s boycott of the elections is providing space to Peoples Conference (PC). Such are the speculations after the growth of PC led by Sajjad Lone in the last four years (with the support of BJP) that he is being predicted as the next chief minister in Jammu and Kashmir. BJP after having partnered with both NC and PDP now appears to create another political alternative in Kashmir while also trying to save itself in Jammu region. Therefore, I think the performance of PC in next elections will determine the fate of many in the electoral politics of the state. The latest step taken by the Governor to dissolve the assembly appears to show that the political fight has turned very nasty in the state. I remember very well how in the opening days the targets or priorities for settling the Kashmir issue and politically empowering Jammu were put up by the BJP but nothing could be achieved in the last 4 years. Despite all these accusations, the BJP state president Ravinder Raina is hopeful to win over 50 assembly seats in next elections. These all things and situations happening in the state are extraordinary and only time will tell for whom it becomes a hit or miss situation.

Results On An Unexpected Line

The results of the municipal elections, which took place in Jammu and Kashmir after 13 years, have set a record of its own kind in the politics of state. For me these elections couldn’t live up to the desired intentions as it generated a lot of negativity. Adding to the controversy was the prediction of a foreign-educated person getting appointed as the next mayor of Srinagar. Immediately, after the results were announced it now seems clear that person will be Junaid Mattu, who resigned from National Conference (NC) to contest the elections. I believe that Junaid Mattu himself wasn’t sure about his performance as he contested from four wards (of which he won from three). This was a first time experience for me as I saw someone fighting out in such a safe manner for the municipal polls.

Ever since the results are out the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in the celebration mood because the BJP has come out with results on an unexpected line. The BJP has won 100 wards (with no opponent in 76) in the Kashmir region and 212 wards in its stronghold Jammu. The prestigious Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) also went to BJP inspite of the anti-incumbency of the last four years. Now adding to this success, BJP has set a target of 50 seats for the next assembly elections in the state.  If I talk of the Congress party then it has lost a big opportunity in these elections.  The Congress just performed in the hilly areas of the state and went flat in the plains of Jammu. The performance of the Congress in the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) is even poorer than the 2005 municipal election results. The biggest factor that I consider wrecked the Congress in Jammu region is the wrong distribution of tickets to the candidates vis a vis factionalism in the just concluded elections. For me the Congress is yet too far from playing the real role of the opposition. 

However, BJP suffered a big defeat at the hands of Congress in the Kargil and Leh municipal bodies. This is a major setback for the BJP because the party has won the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat in 2014 and also has the majority in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC). Furthermore, since the celebrations are going on for BJP there are very few in local circles who are highlighting the defeat of Deepak Gupta (the brother of former DyCM Kavinder Gupta) and victory of Rajinder Singh alias Bubby (the brother of BJP leader Choudhary Lal Singh) along with his wife Vandina Andotra (as independent candidates from Kathua municipal council). The biggest fact of these election results is that the independent candidates across state have emerged as an entirely new segment of ‘politicians’. The independents are the single largest group in Kashmir and in the Jammu region; BJP is followed by independents and then the Congress. More so these independents now shall be switching sides before formation of municipal bodies.

The rise and the emergence of independents is result of the boycott by the NC and the PDP over the article 35A controversy. In addition to it, the allegations against NC and the PDP for fielding proxy candidates have turned true in Jammu region as recently the pictures of leaders of these parties has gone viral on social media while celebrating the success of independent candidates. Otherwise these parties have become successful in saving their cadre (from the militants) who may have gone on back foot in the upcoming parliamentary or assembly elections in the state amid threats. Further, the boycott by both these parties has helped the BJP and the Congress in a major way. 

In the end, I would say that with the worst-ever polling percentage in the Kashmir valley these elections must open the eyes of the central government.  No wonder there are few takers to this message as these elections are being dubbed as “successful” elections. I don't understand what parameters were employed to come to this conclusion because these elections have once again shown that Kashmiris stand alienated. BJP wants to serve the nation then they have to understand that they cannot claim to serve Kashmir by the election of displaced persons living at present in Jammu. The situation is deep and let all these records change the situation forever as the valley has seen the bloom of lotus.

Dogra’s In An Identity Crisis

In my column last month, I highlighted how the sentiments of Dogra’s are being misused by a person to prosper in the political field of Jammu. There are many similar issues (existing in other forms) of the Jammu region about which I didn’t write in my earlier work. So I decided to highlight it in this column.  Even after 70 years of independence, the Dogra’s of Jammu (Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs) are still facing an identity crisis. For the revival of this Dogra identity they had been promised moons and stars by many politicians till today. The result of this is that Dogra’s in past some decades have developed a sense of discrimination and injustice. Now they consider themselves as victims. This feeling of discrimination and injustice is not wrong because there are many issues and matters in which discrimination within regions is clearly visible. More so, it has now become a routine affair with political patronage of few. But I believe that this feeling of “victims” in Dogra’s came into being all because of the lack of political will in the Jammu region. As per my observation, this is the main fault line as lack of political will in Jammu region has led to suppression and discrimination. In addition to it, in these past years the aspirations of Jammu got totally overlooked and shadowed. 

For me, Jammu & Kashmir is not an easy state to control, manage and rule and so is for the prevailing parties of Jammu & Kashmir state. Moreover, contributing to it is its different geography, climate, language and culture of regions. This debate of injustice done with the Jammu region has given growth to forces of radical thought and fundamentalism in this part of state. Earlier, this radical thought and fundamentalism was used only by some Kashmir based organizations against Jammu. Finally, this trend has erupted in Jammu as I see many people in social circles of Jammu who are floating ideas that ‘it is time to find a permanent and long-lasting solution for Jammu & Kashmir’. They even go to the extent of separating Jammu from Kashmir by forming Jammu as an independent state. Strangely, this sense is growing and there is urgency to deal with it. I am very sure that the existence of our state is based on its unity and it should not be divided just on the basis of regional aspirations. 

This regional divide has furthered a threat to the identity and culture of Dogra’s. The presence of rohingyas and bangladeshis in Jammu region has created a negative thinking in Jammu region. An alarm is also raised by some people over growth of muslim colonies surrounding Jammu city. Many people in Jammu city see this growth on religious lines and ask why only Jammu?  Surprisingly, adding to this threat is the settlement of rohingayas and bangaladeshis in these above stated colonies.  On this issue, Congress and BJP both are in war of words because a congress leader is accused of settling them (rohingayas and bangaladeshis) and on the other hand BJP leaders (who had made several statements of evicting rohingayas and bangaladeshis) have taken no action against them in last more than four years. It is yet not too late to make amends on this problem and to instill confidence in Dogra’s. The prevailing administrative machinery should immediately carry out verification and identify all those who have illegally managed to enter our state. Once identified, such people should be deported from the state. This issue needs a clear cut approach in order to reduce the growing ill will within regions in the state. 

This is not all that is creating rifts within the state. The debate on Article 35A of the Indian constitution has brought Jammu and Kashmir regions in an eye to eye position. Jammu is totally divided on this matter, as for some Article 35 A is more relevant than Kashmir and Ladakh.  They apprehend that its repeal will lead to the economic deprivation and erosion of cultural identity of the Dogra’s. On the other, some people in Jammu claim that they are being discriminated against and the removal of Article 35A will lead to their political empowerment. Whereas, the whole people of Kashmir along with all political parties (forgetting political differences) of Kashmir are clear on this matter and are supporting Article 35A. I think that being liberal or illiberal on this issue won’t serve and before taking any action, it is important to understand whether the repeal of this article will address differences within regions.

There are many in our state who intends to destabilize the secular and composite culture of our state. A different thought within the region also prevails on the demand for declaring Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary as a state holiday in J&K. This matter is completely part of a silent aggression within regions. This too needs attention and should be addressed one way or other to end this aggression. Let me remind you that many people in our state are not happy with the holiday of ‘martyr’s day’ but we still have it. Similarly, when many don’t want a holiday on Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary we still can have it. The bigger idea is to satisfy both the regions by having both holidays and for this every party has to think over and above their vote banks. I feel very little work and struggle to restore the regional balance in Jammu & Kashmir. In order to make all regions happy and peaceful, efforts should also be made on political level to honour the sentiments of people of Jammu region as they have developed a sense of fear. Indeed, each region of the state — Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh — must get its due share. Only the conspiracies against each other grow stronger day by day. There are blunders which need action for the betterment of the country. We shouldn’t turn our friends and neighbours into our enemies under a planned effort by few who only have their self interest.

Riding On Dogra Sentiment

As the nation celebrated its 72nd Independence Day, Jammuites too celebrated this occasion. From politicians to social workers, from government employees to civil society members - all took steps to express their pride on this occasion. However, in the past few weeks an attempt to raise pro-Dogra sentiment has been made in Jammu. I believe there is nothing wrong in it but the way it is being done, by an organization, is totally wrong. I want to talk about, Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan, an organization floated by Choudhary Lal Singh (a former Congress leader who joined the BJP before the 2014 Lok Sabha election) who is presently the BJP MLA from Basohli and former minister in PDP-BJP coalition government (ousted from cabinet for participating in rally organized in favor of accused in Kathua minor rape and murder case). Ever since the launch of Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan, this organization has been claiming that it would work for dignity and unity of Dogra’s in Jammu region only.

Although it is claimed that Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan is an apolitical organization, as per my observations it seems to have strong political motives which is clearly visible in the issues raised by this organization. Among the top priorities of Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan is the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir and its resources, and that the post of chief minister should be rotational for three years between the Jammu and Kashmir regions of the state. This is not all, the Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan has asked the government employees to proceed on mass leave on 23rd September, 2018 to observe the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh (which BJP failed to get declared as a public holiday during its government). After noticing this all, I am sure anyone who is not associated with Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan will get convinced of its high political intentions. This issue also gets supportive evidence because in the past these issues were very close to all parties who raised their voice only for Jammu. Now, the only difference is that Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan seems to have hijacked these issues from them.

I am quite surprised, while this all is going on the BJP in J&K has turned a mute spectator to the activities of Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan run by its own MLA. Previously for BJP, it was the Congress party in Jammu with which it had to fight over the issues of Jammu region to get the votes. However, with the emergence of Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan the situation seems to have slipped entirely out of the hands of both parties. I think that the BJP for this failure of not taking any action against its own MLA may have to pay a heavy price as elections to Lok Sabha are round the corner. On the other hand, the Lok Sabha elections could be the reason that BJP is not interested in taking any action against its MLA who has a strong hold over Udhampur parliamentary constituency. This all what is going on between Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan and BJP doesn’t seem natural as per Indian politics and gives me another reason to consider Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan as an authorized offshoot of BJP. The entire purpose could be to keep the Dogra sentiment burning so that later it can be used either way. I may not be wrong for all those who remember how the Dogra’s participated in Amarnath land agitation and this agitation was later en-cashed by BJP.

Although, Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan has become a dream merchant and is riding on Dogra sentiment yet many people in social circles of Jammu have common questions for Lal Singh. I don’t have answers for them so I would like to highlight their biggest question i.e. why during his tenures as a minister in all earlier governments Lal Singh didn’t ever protest for pro Jammu cause?  In the end, I would say that it’s been 70 years since the debate on the issue of discrimination with Jammu and Ladakh is going on and none can bring the change on it in overnight. Moreover, when the system remained unchanged even under the BJP (from whom a major change was expected after 2014), therefore nothing appears to come too soon for Jammuites. This story telling method (used for Jammuites) is not new because presenting a rosy picture to Jammuites is an old method used by many leaders who later converted it for their own political gains. Basically, the idea of spreading hatred within regions by highlighting discriminations won’t take us in the right direction ever. In such a situation, it is easy to infer that in the near future such propaganda may only harm the entire state. This rhetoric adopted by some Jammu politicians against Kashmir and similarly it being done by some people in Kashmir hasn’t got us any results till today. I firmly believe that if it continues then nothing good may come our way.

Political Uncertainty

After the break-up of the PDP-BJP coalition government now many rumours have been making rounds since past some weeks which in turn has made the political atmosphere very hot in Jammu and Kashmir.  The rumours are that BJP is trying to split the PDP; PDP is trying to form an alliance with Congress party; Haseeb Drabu is instrumental to form new political alignments in Kashmir; Imran Raza Ansari could head a new rising political front in Kashmir; Sajjad Lone could be the new CM with help of BJP in J&K; BJP may after the realignment give first Hindu CM (Dr Jitendra Singh) of the state etc.  Also the biggest rumour supporting these all rumours is that anything said above could take shape once the ongoing Amarnath yatra ends. Now, when such possibilities are presented and painted on such a wide canvas then anything may seem possible in Jammu and Kashmir. Moreover, this all seems possible when some people in political circles are referring to and recalling the defection in the National Conference in mid 80’s by GM Shah that ultimately saw him taking over as chief minister of the state. In addition to it, when Governor N.N. Vohra has not dissolved the assembly and rather kept it in suspended animation further gives out a signal that this all could take shape soon.  While this all is happening the PDP too is not silent and its leader and former CM Mehbooba Mufti has openly threatened that if any attempt to split PDP is made by the New Delhi government the Kashmir may see rebirth of Syed Salahuddin and Yasin Malik. Here, I firmly believe that her anger is justified but not her words to demonstrate her anger.

This all that is taking shape in Jammu and Kashmir under the Governor rule silently reflects so many things. However, I am of the opinion that the premature end of the PDP-BJP coalition government has pushed Jammu and Kashmir into political uncertainty. Basically, PDP-BJP both failed to extract anything substantial on political, economical and security fronts from the centre government viz a viz agenda of alliance. The real test for Mehbooba Mufti & PDP (in absence of late Mufti Mohd. Sayeed) has started now as all want to see how she would keep her flock together amid allegations of PDP becoming a “family democratic party”. All the BJP leaders in Jammu are tight-lipped about their party’s political plan. More so, BJP leaders are simply saying that there is no scope for forming a new government and walking out of the coalition was in the interest of the nation. On the other hand, the BJP leader Avinash Rai Khanna recently admitted that they don’t deny looking for a suitable arrangement in the state. But for me, BJP cannot clear itself easily by saying such words as it too hasn’t given anything concrete to people of Jammu region in the last three years while enjoying power in the coalition government. By now the Governor NN Vohra has cancelled many steps taken by the PDP BJP government and even has made many issues to move which were struck giving people in Jammu a reason to be happy. But is that the job of the Governor? Where were political representatives from Jammu for the last 3 years? Is it that blaming PDP is now BJP’s right? Why I am writing such things is that these days BJP is all praise for the Governor and expect peace to return soon in the state under his leadership.

 

Although the return of peace sounds good in theory for the whole state, the present prevailing situation is unlikely to change in weeks or months. As the 2019 general elections are nearing and after not being able to hold a by-election in the Lok Sabha constituency in Kashmir, holding state-wide elections shall be a tough job for the centre government. In the last 4 years only political games are going on in Jammu and Kashmir and nothing concrete has been done by the centre government on the issues which have disturbed the state. For how long we shall keep witnessing governor rule in the state? The centre government must use the opportunity that the present political crisis has offered to fix the prevailing problems in the state. More importantly, all parties have a role to play to push the state away from the edge towards the peace our state has been longing for.

Break Up In Coalition

The assembly elections of 2014 in Jammu and Kashmir gave out a fractured verdict. It was the result of campaigning by both People’s Democratic Party (PDP) & Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). The PDP at that time campaigned in the entire Kashmir on the grounds that a vote for them would mean keeping the BJP out of Jammu and Kashmir and won 25 seats in Kashmir and 3 seats in Jammu region. Similarly, reminder calls of BJP leaders especially PM Narendra Modi that “kabhi baap-betay ki sarkar, kabhi baap-beti ki sarkar '' made the people in Jammu region vote for the BJP and the saffron party won 25 seats. But as results came out all rhetoric died and after two months of negotiations a coalition between BJP and PDP itself was formed. This moment added to Jammu and Kashmir’s long history where the parties in J&K state allied with the party in power at the centre (in 2002 PDP tied up with the Congress and in 2008 the National Conference  tied up with Congress). The former chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed called this PDP-BJP coalition the “meeting of the north and south pole”. The reason outlined by the late Mufti Mohammed Sayeed to form a coalition with the BJP was an opportunity to bridge the gap between the people of Jammu and Kashmir regions. Although these ideological opposites met, they both moved on only with help of a document called the ‘agenda of alliance’. Like many, I too was stunned to see that coalition and for me election results reflected the divide between the two regions as both regions voted against each other. Many called this coalition a dishonest one and predicted that it was never going to work. 

In the past 3 years everything wasn’t normal for PDP- BJP and both were under intense pressure to preserve the state government. Both these parties tried to prove in their respective regions that they haven’t given up on their agenda of bridging the gap between both regions. Meanwhile, the PDP’s stronghold South Kashmir in these years saw so much unrest after the killing of Burhan Wani and almost every day gunfight between militants and security forces took place in other areas of the Kashmir region. Moreover, several workers of the PDP were also shot dead. With this all, the promise of bringing peace to the valley by PDP never became reality. Recently, the PDP suffered alot in the valley when BJP ministers attended rallies of the Hindu Ekta Manch demanding a CBI investigation into Kathua rape and murder case. However, the sacking of the two ministers (Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga) of BJP from cabinet was projected by PDP as a pacifying step but when the Kathua MLA Rajiv Jasrotia (involved in the Kathua controversy) was brought into cabinet by BJP the peacemaking efforts didn’t pay much for PDP. In addition to it, things didn’t become smooth for PDP because ever since Lal Singh was out of cabinet he started a full time campaign (appears to have support of party because senior leadership has fallen silent) by organizing ‘Dogra Swabhiman’ rallies and was demanding CBI inquiry into Kathua case even though accused has been arrested & the law should have been allowed to follow its course. Let’s not also forget the case within Kathua case i.e. when the brother of Lal Singh was arrested for abusing Mehbooba Mufti during a rally organized by Lal Singh for demanding CBI inquiry. Incidentally, all the steps taken by Lal Singh didn’t go well with the PDP cadre in Kashmir. Furthermore, the new deputy chief minister Kavinder Gupta after assuming charge spoke of Kathua case being a “small incident” added to the anger of Kashmir people against PDP. This role played by BJP and its ministers somewhere deepened the divide in the allies.

On the other hand, the situation was the same for BJP in the Jammu region as BJP too suffered ever since this coalition was formed. BJP gave out many signals that showed that it was just playing a second-fiddle role in the government. Many times the PDP in the state government took decisions on issues (like setting up of new medical and technical institutions should be set up in Jammu or in Kashmir) which proved terrible for the BJP in Jammu. After seeing all this in the past 3 years, the BJP’s cadre was angry and felt that BJP was not in a position to assert itself in the government. Officially, many times I saw the BJP’s functionaries defending the coalition in spite of the fact that BJP failed to end perceived domination of Kashmir over Jammu. Not to forget that the Rohingya refugees issue in Jammu also exposed the intention of BJP as nothing much happened in the last 4 years of centre government. I feel that the BJP failed in its goals as even the promises of development and employment are nowhere visible on ground. While so much was happening yet the BJP preferred to stay silent.

This all was witnessed till 19th June of 2018 as BJP suddenly pulled out of the Mehbooba Mufti government and governor rule was implemented.  This decision of BJP could be entirely to regain ground in Jammu and Kashmir and across the country before 2019 general elections. Now the PDP is left in crisis as it has been alienated by its ally as well as by its voters in south Kashmir. After the killings of Shujaat Bukhari, rifleman Aurangzeb and failure of ceasefire initiative it was proved that all those who wanted to give peace a chance failed completely. The whole state of J&K is seeing some of its worst years since the 1990’s as a very different kind of politics after 2014 created deep polarization in the two regions. Both parties lost public goodwill and to save itself from further loss BJP withdrew from this coalition after 3 years.  Both the coalition partners in this time of conflict are now in a cover-up mode by giving various explanations of this separation. After all these years, the coalition between the PDP and BJP didn’t make any sense and only made Jammu and Kashmir more vulnerable.