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| Is it a case of too many cooks spoil the broth | | Another addition to political spectrum in J&K | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 31: As if there were some dearth of a political platform in already highly politicized Jammu and Kashmir yet another organisation under the nomenclature of liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has been formed. One wishes LDP founder does not give credence to the old addage too many cooks spoil the broth. Its aim is to provide an alternative to what its founder, Bashir Ahmed Bhat, calls selfish politicians.
And Bhat has stuck to the usual stance that is followed by those who have formed political parties in Jammu and Kashmir. Some politicians have pronounced their commitment to secure resolution of the Kashmir issue. Others have pledged to support peoples' right to settle the Kashmir issue through plebiscite while announcing formation of their parties. Thank God Bhat has not made any such promise except that he would favour settlement of the Kashmir issue as per the wishes of people of the state. It seems that Jammu and Kashmir is part of the political scenario that has and is existing in India. In various Indian states political leaders, fresh into politics or disgruntled with their parent organizations, float new parties a few months or a year before the Lok Sabha or the Assembly elections. And this what Bhat has done.
Ahead of the scheduled 2014 elections, a new political front under the nomenclaure of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has taken birth in Kashmir. Making the announcement, Bashir Ahmad Bhat (Kashmiri) said the LDP was being floated to give the people another option apart from the existing 'selfish' political parties. Claiming that the existing parties had only made false promises to the people, he said the LDP would work towards ensuring a 'happy life' for the people. When questioned over the strength of his party and its strategies, Bhat said the LDP had opened offices in all districts of the Valley and it would welcome people from all walks of life to the party-fold. He said the LDP would soon open offices at Leh and Kargil districts of the Ladakh region.
On his political background, Bhat has said he had been in politics for a long time. "I have remained block president of Ganderbal for the Congress party and also in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)," he added. Bhat said he had unsuccessfully contested the 2008 Assembly elections from the Ganderbal constituency on the Rashtriya Janata Dal ticket. On its stand over the Kashmir issue, the LDP said it would like the same to be resolved as per the wishes of the people.
No doubt Bhat has tasted water from many rivers, including that of the Congress, the PDP and the RJD, he seems to be of no major consequences. One thing is granted he and his party may neither mar chances of established political parties nor spring a surprise in the Assembly or the Lok Sabha elections. Laloo Prasad Yadav has never remained a force to reckon with in Jammu and Kashmir and it is yet to be found out what led Bhat to contest from the Ganderbal Assembly constituency on RJD ticket. Yes, one cannot rule out the possibility of some major political party having sponsored the birth of the LDP.
If not anything else the very name of the LDP evokes interest in Jammu and Kashmir because one finds hardly any link between democracy and liberalism in Jammu and Kashmir. On one hand you have a sham democracy, given to the state by the ruling NC and Congress, on the other hand people are sandwiched between this frail democracy and conservatism being propounded by the separatists which is opposed to liberalism. Well the very name of the new party sounds beautiful. It is soft on ones ears. Will it attract voters? It is too early to guess. One thing is certain. Seasoned politicians, meaning who have been well versed in the art of manipulating polling, may not allow Bhat to cause any dent to either the Congress or to the NC. No doubt the PDP has been making its presence felt after winning 16 seats in its maiden poll innings in 2002 followed by 21 in 2008 it could do so because of the towering personality of Mufti Mohd. Sayeed who succeeded in drawing some of the Congress heavy weights to his side. Well one should wish good luck to Bhat if he succeeds in promoting liberalism and democratic traditions in Jammu and Kashmir. |
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