By Soumitra Bose/Mukesh Kumar Sinha
“We want to form Government in Jammu and Kashmir (come what may)” : fully determined, categorical BJP National President Amit Shah after the state’s Assembly Election results were officially out on December 23, 2014.
Since then, fully laid out, complete stage has been clearly set (continues to be so even now) for the BJP to either form its First Ever J&K Government with the assistance of other parties etc or be integral part of the Government formed by other parties like People’s Democratic Party (PDP), National Conference (NC), or, whatever-have-You ! BJP just isn’t ‘untouchable’ in any way, neither cogently nor overtly nor ambivertly.
Perhaps authoritative reports emanating from PDP, NC, Indian National Congress’ crest-fallen yet faintly hopeful sources clearly point to all parties in the supercilious state wanting to conjoin with the BJP and start going ‘downward’ that way till Kanya Kumari.
Without BJP now, their very existence is in utter, utmost doldrums, so strong BJP-wave is being felt by them. They are getting message that sans BJP, they will be ignored by the masses of all hues in the country from now on which will surly carry on through all elections and next Parliament Elections as well.
On January 19, 2015, current Assembly Tenure of J&Kashmir Assembly will end. If before that, a Government is not formed — albeit, with the inclusion of the BJP — the whole results will be null and void, President’s Rule will be installed making way for another fresh assembly elections in the state. Who knows, if that happens, BJP may then well sweep the elections. Masses in the state now already are repenting for not vot8ing only for the BJP to have a full fledged BJP Government in the state so that the entire J&Kashmir progresses shoulder-to-shoulder with the rest of the country.
Perhaps sensing their mood, former Congress Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad came out with intriguing but interesting “for the all round betterment of the entire state it is befitting that BJP, PDP, National Conference, Indian National Congress, J&K People’s Conference, CPI(M), J&K People’s Democratic Front, and, 3 Independents conjoin, form covalent bond among them and smoothly govern the state developing all its avenues like elsewhere in the country. For that, BJP indeed is a must in the ensuing State Government formation. BJP is surely not a no-no. Those who are still having reservation/s about the BJP, they will be unimportant, irrelevant at the soonest. Since all political parties in the country have to adhere to the country’s rules and regulations, where is the scope of opposing the BJP?”
Azad has been duly supported by the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed whose PDP (People’s Democratic Party) has won maximum number of seats : 28 out of total 87. Mufti, known to be liberal in views unlike many of Kashmiri politicians including many from the Nartional Conference, Indian National Congress etc, opines that “Azad is right to a great extent. There should be an all party Government in the state for smooth administration, rapid development, correct implementation of schemes/projects so that the state as whole is developed. It should not get bogged down with ego hassles. Nor there should be any kind of allegation/counter-alegations/bickerings/accusations/bla-megame among the individuals in the parties lest all efforts for a joint government is ruined. And the state is placed under Governor’s Rule. If that happens, it will be shameful for all parties as they then clearly will seem to be not respecting the opinions/verdicts of the state’s people. It will be flagrant insult to them. It should be avoided.”
Before proceeding further, quick recap of election results for all 87 MLAs in the state : People’s Democratic Party (PDP) – 28 MLAs, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – 25 MLAs, National Conference (NC) – 15, (Indian National) Congress – 12 MLAs, 7 Others.
From the figures, it clearly evident no single group or party has got 50% seats out of 87 or 44 to form Basic Government.
PDP+BJP can form Government. BJP’s 25+PDP’s 28=53, 9 MLAs more than required 44 MLAs to form Basic Government. 2) BJP+NC+7 Others= 47 MLAs, just about right to form Elementary Government. 3) NC+Congress+7 Independents = X. 4) Defections here and there; in this too, BJP will be a consolidated gainer. Thus evidently, all permutations/combinations/associations/alignment/re-alignments presently are rapidly going on with no solution yet in sight. Rumors of course are afloat aplenty and in plethora. Numerous frantic algebra is continuing even at the time of writing this : All calculators confidently are claiming that the Government will be formed before the last due date, January 19, 2015, and will be in Governance in full confidence for full 6 years.
Comments strong Chief Minister (for full 6 years) stake holder Mehbooba Mufti of PDP: “PDP will be Governing with the help of BJP. To what extent, it is being seen, calculated, discussed now. Without PDP at the helm of affairs in the would-be State Government, it will be null and void. For the state’s all round benefit, all parties can join PDP-led Government. BJP’s willing any way.”
National Conference’s (present self-claimed Sher-e-Kashmir Farooq Abdullah is said to be in London recuperating from mysterious illness) “Boss” Omar Abdullah categorically says : “MuftiSahab has got the highest number of seats. He should come forward with offers for Government formation in the state. We are waiting for his Clarion Call.”
Mufti along with Mehboob are frequently frequenting to Major Player in State Government formation, Governor N N Vora. Expectedly, he is non-committal outside rules and regulations, as reports emanating from Raj Bhavan categorically suggest.
Crisply, Vora is “strictly neutral” as the Governor should be in an Indian state. Mufti thus does not get any assurances of any kind except, “U have required numbers (of MLAs for Government formation) , U’r welcome. I will do my needful as Governor of the state.”
Sort of logjam prevails. Amid this it is crystal clear that the BJP has become integral part of the state’s entire politics, power politics, permutations, combinations. Without BJP, no Government in the state will be possible. No wonder, Amit Shah says: “Talks are on with both the parties (PDP and NC). There has been no fruitful outcome so far. …The fact is, BJP has got 25 seats in the state which is a sizable number (in the total of 87). Without its straight participation/ direct inclusion/ direct involvement in the Government, no Government will be possible. Even if it is formed in any way, it will be ephemeral. Can the State afford that now? I don’t think so. Thus, highest number of seat-winning party PDP should decide how to form the State Government. Its absolutely clear. There is no confusion of any kind in it in any way.”
JUST IN PRINT tracked the “Main Man” on the J&Kashmir Ground supervising BJP’s A to Z Elections, BJP National Office Bearer (master strategist, astute deliverer, strict stickler of results) Ram Madhav (see his separate interview): “BJP has dug its Flag in Kashmir along with in Jammu, Leh-Ladakh. From now on, BJP will be integral part of State Government. BJP will show to the state’s people, masses, how quickly BJP will make the state A-class in every aspect.”
From so many variety of personalities JIP spoke with, it is absolutely clear that the masses in the state want full fledged government and for full 6 years. They want all political parties to sort out all differences among them, form Government, start Governance for all round development of the state at the soonest without any ado of any kind any further. They categorically say, BJP is in, in Kashmir, Jammu, Leh, Ladakh, like it or not. BJP Saffron Flag from now on is inherent feature in the state, and even, in its interiors, nooks-n-corners. Thus make friends with BJP and Govern the State without any fuss, farce, fiasco.