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| DDC election in J&K | | |
Th. K P Singh
The rejoicing outcome of J&K DDC election is restoration of public faith in electoral process in the valley after decades of mistrust and boycotts. This is an indication of rise of nationalism in the valley even though abrogation of the special status of the erstwhile State has been fully resented. It could create pro-Delhi sentiment in the valley if the other contentious political and corruption issues are handled properly.
After sudden announcement of DDC election, another buzzword on the streets was that sudden announcement of DDC election was to elbow out Gupkar Alliance altogether from the political scene in J&K after their self made declaration of not participating in any election till Article 370 was restored. Sensing an impending doom, Gupkaris made a volte-face, entered into the fray. The so called Gupkar Alliance, now a reality, is a conglomerate of 7 political parties, hurriedly cobbled up by post 370 political detainees after their release, to take on the centre collectively on political issues such as restoration of special status snatched on 5th August 2019. At the end of day, it was their survival which was at stake and hence they formed a coalition for contesting the DDC election. They have survived by winning 112 seats out of 280. On the other side of the political spectrum was the BJP looking at its entry in the valley in a big way. Having got 3 in the valley, its total tally is 75.
The best way to comprehend the mood of a vibrant society, with keen eyes and ears like, is through free and fair elections. By the electoral process govt learns a great deal about its popularity or otherwise as well as strength of other political parties in the field particularly their main political rival(s), which are no less in numbers & strength in J&K. In the case of 22nd December results of J&K DDC election 2020, first time ever, this was the hidden agenda over and above what has been spelt out. The lesson must have been learnt. When the Assembly election?
Any election in J&K, no matter at what level, gets unprecedented media attention because over the last three to four decades, Kashmir valley is ridden in religious fanaticism promoting Pak sponsored terrorism. There was a loud voice of alienation in Srinagar with clear cut ambitions of ‘Azadi’ through terror and intimidation. Many elections were held in this long period of turmoil on various contentious political and constitutional issues, popular govts formed, but nothing changed on the ground. But this DDC election, for a change, was seen to be different in many ways because 370 became the main issue for Gupkar Alliance and development for the BJP. Since BJP had been riding on ‘sab Ka sath, sab ka vikas and sab ka vishwas agenda’ nation-wide, it was expected to reap a rich harvest in the valley but that trump card has not worked there. Article 370 of the Constitution had empowered the state to ‘an autonomous entity’. It was very dear to Kashmiris. But it was the cause of all the past ills. It was the cause of corruption and alienation. It was the trigger that people held for realising their ambitions and dreams. Once the Article was abolished on 5th August 2019, valley lost the motivating energy for seeking Azadi by terrorism and intimidation. A void was created. The vacuum had to be filled with an alternative dream. Article 370 and revocation of J&K’s special status became the issue. The mandate, more or less has gone in favour of this issue in Kashmir with Gupkar Alliance winning 112 seats as against 3 in favour of BJP. Whereas in Jammu the mandate, though a mixed bag, (BJP 72 out of 140) has by and large gone in faovour of development. Ironically decades long development starved Jammu had no other option.
Biggest gain is re-establishment of public faith in the Indian democracy through the election process as stated above. It must be kept going with clean and transparent governance, responsibility for which devolves upon Hon’ble Lt. Governor. Kashmiris have rejected the Delhi’s decision of revocation of special status of J&K. Delhi must offer some alternative and take the political process forward. DDC poll, with results on the table, should be a oriented to development and not he politics.
Kashmir may say that the election outcome is a referendum against 2019 Parliament decision. Voices for respect for the verdict of the people and reversal of 5th August 2019 decision will certainly rise.
But the govt should not succumb under any pressure. Within the UT, with two diverse regions, domination of one over the other will remain. Kashmir will dominate Jammu as before. Mistrust between Jammu & Kashmir will remain, thus increase difficulties for the govt. Centre must look into it. Making Jammu a separate UT or State must be considered to relieve it of Kashmiri hegemony. Jammu having endorsed abrogation of Article 370 must be fully integrated with the Indian Union. Now that the process of bringing of basic democracy at the public doorsteps through DDC elections is complete, the focus must out-rightly shift on development process for which the DDCs were mandatory as per Panchayat Raj Act. After the formalisation of DCCs, development plans must be formed and executed under the patronage of Rural Development Ministry of India so that the development as intended to by the Centre is carried out equally in both the regions.
Various development models were tried out earlier in J&K. Most talked about is Bhomag Development model of Reasi Dist designed and executed by former Reasi MLA late Sh. Bansi Lal Kohstani during Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad’s rule. Impressed by Kohstani Sahib’s development model, Bakshi Sahib made BDOs resign from govt job to contest Assembly elections to frame laws which were rural development oriented. Newly elected Councilors could be sent to Bhomag to see the development undertaken by the Veteran leader and asses their constituency applicability. Let development and development alone be the outcome of this election. Massive turn out of voters and peaceful conduct of the election is indicative of changing political perceptions in the UT.
Ground swell of voters in the valley was indicative of ‘love for special status under 370’. Restoration of Article 370 rhetoric did galvanise the voter and the results also carry the day. At the end of it, it is the voter who have given a clear message by their mandate. What is the message is for political analysts to decipher.
Since Delhi was keen to know it soon, the snap DDC election has done it clearly. It is now for Delhi to analyse it realistically. Whole election exercise was a significant step in the direction of integration of the erstwhile state with the national mood but the question mark has come up again! This election therefore was not at all much needed political process so soon after the abrogation of Article 370, which was so fresh in public mind. |
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