Bashir Assad
JAMMU, Apr 18: The ruling elite across the country are locking horns in the electoral battlefield to rule the electorate by dividing the communities. In Kashmir, a case in point are the Shia community leaders and clerics, who are being used by the political powers that be in the state for access to power.
Notwithstanding the fact that political turncoats in electoral politics keep changing their loyalties, the Indian democracy of late has shifted its focus from virtuous politics to the one with community colours. The same is true for Kashmir politics, where separatists have religious orientation and the mainstream focus is on community leaders.
Till the recent past, elections in Kashmir were fought on political agenda. But there is a paradigm shift in the political demography from issue-based to religion-oriented politics. This time, the Shia community leaders and clerics are at centre stage - regardless of who benefits whom.
The division within the already-divided electorate is perceptionally beneficial to the ruling National Conference, given its shrinking support base. Aga Syed Mehmood, a senior Shia leader and former Minister, is reportedly all set to quit PDP. According to National Conference sources, decks have been cleared for his joining the party. On the other hand, another influential person from the same dynasty, Aga Syed Mohammad, recently joined PDP. Meanwhile, Aga Mohsin, again from the same dynasty, is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Srinagar-Budgam constituency as an independent candidate. Aga Abdul Hussain, another Shia cleric, is expected to file his nomination papers tomorrow from Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency as independent candidate. It is worth mentioning that Aga Syed Hasan is the senior Hurriyat Conference leader, and Aga Ruhullah is the sitting MLA and National Conference leader from the Budgam Assembly segment. Now it remains to be seen as to who, amongst the Agas, can woo the community. It will also be interesting to watch as to what could be the impact of the fragmentation of Shia electorate on the overall results of the Srinagar-Budgam Lok Sabha seat. But one thing is clear - that it is the ruling elite that divide to rule. |
