Early Times Report
JAMMU, Apr 16: If credible sources in the corridors of powers in New Delhi and the BJP headquarters in Jammu are any indication, then one can easily assume that the possibility of assembly polls in J&K in the near future is too remote.
"How can Delhi afford to hold assembly polls in J&K when Kashmiri politicians are attacking India, batting for Pakistan, questioning accession of J&K to India, showing disrespect to the national flag by saying that there would be no one Kashmir to give shoulder to national flag if New Delhi does this or does that, holding out threats that they will break India and demanding separate Sadar-e-Riyasat and Wazir-e-Azam for J&K on the ground that J&K is a Muslim-majority state," asked a top source, adding that "to hold assembly polls would mean transfer of the state power to the same politicians who are chanting pro-Pakistan slogans and indulging in India bashing".
Sources in the BJP headquarters are also saying the same thing. A top BJP leader on the condition of anonymity on Tuesday said: "The BJP wants assembly polls, but the fiery speeches being made by Kashmiri leaders like Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, have changed the whole J&K scenario. No government in New Delhi would even take the risk of handing over the state apparatus to those who are speaking against India and for Pakistan and holding out commitments to their constituencies in Kashmir that they, if voted to power, will revoke AFSPA, PSA and DAA, withdraw cases against all stone-pelters, lift ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and JKLF, set free all militants presently locked up in various jails, including Tihar Jail. It would be dangerous to hold assembly elections in the state at a time when the situation is highly volatile and the inter-regional bitterness and animosity is at its peak". He also said: "Time has come for some radical changes in the existing politico-administrative and constitutional structure so that the Kashmiri leaders are reined in. Till then, no possibility of assembly polls in the state".
Indeed, the statements being made by Kashmiri leaders belonging to the NC, the PDP, the Congress, and even by CPI-M are divisive and fraught with dangerous consequences. It would be no wonder if the Union Government refrains from holding assembly elections in the state. |