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| Cabinet reshuffle? | | Sikhs, KPs, extremely backward districts not on menu | | Syed Junaid Hashmi
JAMMU, Dec 27: With just 10 days left for the NC-Congress coalition Government to complete four years in office; Sikhs, Kashmiri Pandits, residents of extremely backward areas of North Kashmir along with entire populace of erstwhile district Doda are yet to find representation in the State Cabinet.
Political observers firmly believe that delaying expansion-cum-Cabinet reshuffle is likely to amplify grievances of these communities and would have serious impact on political fortunes of both National Conference (NC) and Congress in the Assembly elections whenever they are held in the State. MLC elections have brought to light the chilling reality of PDP making inroads in the bastions of Congress and National Conference (NC). Credit for PDP's increasing strength goes to coalition's inability to deliver.
A 14 year old party managed to rattle combination of more than five political outfits aided and abetted by State police as well as administrative set-up. The coalition did win all the four seats but PDP managed to secure votes all over the State. It got significant votes even in areas which have traditionally remained NC and Congress strongholds. If Leh-Ladakh region is subtracted from the coalition kitty, the 14 year old party has given tough fight to five party combination.
The coalition consoled itself with words "We managed to get votes in South Kashmir, the stronghold of PDP." However, those with sharp political mind would tell the coalition leaders to stop relaying heavily on New Delhi and take political decisions independently with a keen eye on future. Cabinet which Omar heads includes Ministers who have been elected from constituencies falling in Srinagar, Ganderbal, Leh-Ladakh, Rajouri, Kargil, Kathua, Samba, Kulgam, Ganderbal, Budgam, Anantnag, Baramulla and Reasi districts. Most of the Ministers are known even in New Delhi as constituency specific Ministers.
Despite repeated warnings, these constituency specific Ministers have preferred spending more than required time in settling even trivial disputes of their electorate than looking after their Ministry as well as the State at the same time. By preferring to keep coalition vehicle and the prized chair safe, Chief Minister has preferred silence despite being well aware of the happenings. This dismal scenario has been compounded by serious allegations of corruption and nepotism against the sitting Ministers.
Around six Ministers have cases pending against them in the State Accountability Commission (SAC). Two of the coalition Ministers lost high profile portfolios. One was clipped of the portfolio of School Education while another was thrown out of the Cabinet. Two others are facing serious corruption charges with complaints reaching even UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and NC Patron Farooq Abdullah. Another one is unlikely to be repeated even as MLC, once his term expires.
In this gloomy scenario, missing Sikhs, Kashmiri Pandits, residents of extremely backward areas of North Kashmir along with entire populace of erstwhile district Doda from the State Cabinet are likely to make things difficult for the coalition Government. This is despite loud cries of members of these communities seeking their share in the power structure of Jammu and Kashmir. "We have stopped begging since we know; the Government has being taking us for granted for the last more than 65 years. We deserve representation but are being denied," said an NC leader who is part of the State legislature.
His words do speak a lot about the anger brewing among these neglected regions and communities. Congress has five MLAs from erstwhile district Doda but none of them has been accommodated. Ex-PWD Minister Ghulam Mohammed Saroori was removed from the Cabinet after his daughter's name surfaced in a case of impersonation. Sikhs, Kashmiri Pandits, residents of extremely backward areas of North Kashmir have suffered the most. They have been pleading for representative in State Cabinet.
Dharmveer Singh Oberoi, a National Conference (NC) MLC is the lone Sikh voice in the State legislature. Ex-Chief Secretary Vijay Bakaya is the only Kashmiri Pandit in the State machinery. MLA Gurez Nazir Gurezi, Kupwara MLA Mir Saifullah and MLA Karnah Kafil-ur-Rehman are the MLAs who represent the most backward districts of North Kashmir. They have been ignored and are not even in the contention as and when the Cabinet reshuffle-cum-expansion takes place. |
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