Early times Report
JAMMU, Feb 2: One may or one may not endorse the self-rule doctrine of the PDP. In fact, the people of Jammu and Ladakh do not endorse it; they oppose it tooth and nail on the ground that it is divisive and long for the state's full integration with India. Leave aside the BJP, which has no ideology and which is known for bartering its ideology, core agenda and even its own constituency for the sake of power. It was rightly said by one BJP detractor that the "BJP is intellectually and ideologically immoral, corrupt and bankrupt".
Similarly, one may or may not endorse the PDP's pre-conditions for re-stitching alliance with the BJP. In fact, the nationalists across the nation in general and Jammu and Kashmir in particular reject the demands like revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, return of the NHPC-managed power projects, recognition of Hurriyat as one of the principle factors, result-oriented dialogue with Pakistan and all those demands which hold the state aloof from the national mainstream. They oppose the agenda of alliance and what it envisages. Again, leave aside the BJP, which, like the PDP, considers the agenda of alliance a historic document and shamelessly says that it is "non-negotiable" and that "it is committed to implementing it".
But everyone in the state and outside will surely appreciate PDP president Mehbooba Mufti for her commitment to her ideology. Indeed, the speech that she delivered on January 31 at her Fairview residence, Srinagar, was worth listening. It will be remembered for a long time.
Without mincing words she explained away her stand on the government formation with the BJP and dared her colleagues to find a new leader if they didn't share her views and support her stand on the government formation.
"I am ready to burn my fingers, but I will not burn them for nothing," she told her party leaders as they met in Srinagar on Sunday to discuss party issues, including government-formation in the state. It was a very bold statement that indicated the extent to which she was committed to her ideology and her father's vision for the state. Who would not like to become Chief Minister, given an opportunity, but she is made of a different stuff. She would want to assume the office only on her own terms and conditions.
Even for more significant was her suggestion that those in the party who wanted to form government with the BJP without renegotiating the agenda of alliance, they were free to choose another leader. "If anyone among you still feels we must form the government, as it has been during the last 10 months, you are free to make your choice. I am prepared to begin alone a battle for the realization of Mufti sahib's vision, beginning from scratch if it has to be so".
Only Mehbooba Mufti could make such bold statements and say that she would not assume power just for the sake of power.
It would be only appropriate to say that Mehbooba perhaps is the first Kashmiri leader who has taken the stand on the government formation that she took to put all her opponents within and outside the party on the mat. |
