Muhammad Mukaram
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Feb 7: Amid political stalemate over Government formation, in the wake of Mehbooba's rant on assurance over Agenda of Alliance, a million dollar question remains as to who would gain if J&K goes for mid-term elections.
This time Peoples Democratic Party, that emerged as the single largest party in the state, in last assembly elections, had managed to register 1092203 votes which means 22.5 percent of total vote share, is faced with three problems, according to political Observers, if state goes to mid-term polls.
First challenge of PDP is to bring back rebels, who were openly shouting against the PDP and till date they were annoyed over formation of government with BJP.
Second one is that BJP is still ruling India, and without active support from central government, winning elections or gaining in elections will be much more difficult for PDP.
Third challenge is anti-incumbency as people are not happy with PDP-BJP government, National Conference and other Oppositions parties are capitalizing on their decision to ally with BJP. People in valley think that this alliance introduced RSS in the state.
Noted political analyst and academician, Professor Sidiq wahid says, "Delaying government formation may be intended to convey the message that the PDP is not interested solely in grabbing power. But as the party with the largest number of MLAs, it also has a duty to be instrumental in ensuring democratic rule in the state."
"She told us that even if she gets only 15 seats, she won't mind and it would be better for PDP rather than seeing its Agenda of Alliance not being implemented," a PDP leader said.
"PDP is not power hungry, even we have thrown chair in 2008 and we gained from 13 seats to 28 seats now, our demands are return of NHPC power projects, revocation of AFSPA and also dialogue with Pakistan and separatists. So we are not losing ground in the state, people are with us," said another PDP leader, wishing anonymity.
Another senior PDP leader, who wished not to be named, said that PDP won't compromise for anything. "It was observed that Agenda of Alliance was not being implemented the way late chief minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed wanted it to be. So Mehbooba took a stand and asked BJP to fall in line," he said.
BJP's much hyped cry for 44+ resulted in only 25 seats in the last Assembly polls in J&K. In the 87-member assembly seats, Kashmir has 46 seats, the Jammu region has 37 and Ladakh region has 4 seats. Out of 87-seats PDP had gained 28 seats (now 27), and congress had gained only 12 seats. |
