Hot political scenario amid freezing cold

Winter has made its entry with freezing cold. Nights keep on breaking record of minus temperature this season. Several upper reaches have also experienced first light snowfall of this winter.

Despite the change in weather conditions the political front continues to be hot. This in spite of  the fact that the much awaited assembly polls were held some time back and a new elected government is in place now. The ruling National Conference has got absolute majority on its own with the support of some independent MLAs. Congress and CPI (M) are also giving support to the government from outside.

Usually when a party gets the absolute majority on its own and forms the government,  the political activities get reduced to some extent. Subsequently, the elected government starts focussing on its functioning and  makes efforts to deliver on its promises. The opposition also tries to give time to the elected government to settle down and commit mistakes one after the other.

But right now the scenario is not like that in Jammu and Kashmir. The opposition is on its toes to target the new government on various issues. The ruling party besides trying to deliver and create an impact, and do something for  the people, has begun  to find itself getting trapped on various issues. Some of the issues are its own creation and some the creation of others. Jammu and Kashmir is a union territory right now. So, the powers of chief minister, his government and the assembly are not the same what used to be in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Consequently, the ruling party raised the demand for the restoration of full statehood from day one. Due to the statements at various levels, an impression got created in political circles that there is some kind  rift between the elected government and  the Raj Bhawan. However, later the NC leadership itself said that there was no such rift and that these reports were being floated by certain people,  who want a tussle between the two power centres. National Conference ( NC) President Dr Farooq Abdullah said that enemies of the elected government spread rumours related to rift. He stated that the government is committed to keep all the promises made in the election manifesto, but for that the ruling party needs time and that the problems of the people cannot be solved overnight with a magic wand.

But at the same time NC says that for solution of all problems,  the restoration of statehood is very important. The  demand for restoration of statehood was reiterated with full force by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Jammu two days back.

National Conference wants to be active both at the government and the  political levels. While running the government affairs, the  ruling party does not want to leave the political space for opposition, who with the passage of time can keep on  raising important issues including problems of people and their non- resolution. The NC leadership does not want to lower its guard politically this time keeping in view the important panchayat and urban local bodies (ULB) elections expected to be held early next year. While the panchayat polls will be conducted on non-party basis, the civic elections on party basis. Last time neither National Conference nor other Kashmir based political parties had fought the panchayat and municipal polls. The field was left wide open for BJP. A number of people were elected unopposed. The parties later regretted having boycotted the panchayat and municipal polls. Now all the parties have decided to contest and have already started preparations in this connection.

In panchayat and ULB elections, usually the local issues and influence of local candidates matter. But it is to be seen to what extent the political issues and political lines of the parties would influence the voters in these elections next year. NC wants the assembly polls like scenario in the panchayat and municipal polls too. That is why it has been reiterating that it will keep its assembly poll promises and more stress is also laid on the restoration of statehood. Chief minister Omar Abdullah himself described it an important and big struggle.

On the other hand the opposition parties in Kashmir want to corner the NC for what they describe as abandoning its real assembly polls agenda and just focussing on statehood restoration. Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, senior PDP leaders said that NC got votes in assembly elections for restoration of Article 370." For us restoration of statehood is a small issue. This is bound to happen today, tomorrow or later. Prime Minister and Home Minister have assured restoration of statehood several times. So it will happen. For us restoration of Article 370 and our snatched rights is the real issue. We will continue to fight for it, "said the PDP leaders at a press conference in Srinagar. Some other parties are also  toeing the same line.

Congress may not mention the Article 370 because of its fall out on its interests in rest of the country. But on statehood and protection of land and job rights for the local people, the party has already raised its voice.

It will be interesting to watch whether NC and Congress will have some kind of alliance or understanding for panchayat and municipal polls. The two parties had formed a pre-poll alliance during assembly elections. Despite the alliance, Congress is not part of the government yet. Reports say that NC had offered the party one berth in the council of ministers but Congress demanded two. Since the issue remained unresolved, Congress said it will become part of the government only after statehood is restored.

Author is senior editor, Greater Kashmir