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| Amarnath land controversy | | | The Amaranth land controversy, which put the state on the boil and almost delayed polls in the state, will be the primary political weapon in this election. It has already taken centre stage for many parties looking to weave their strategies around it, and to use it for maximum electoral gains.
Although, the festering Amarnath land row was resolved following an agreement between the state government and the group spearheading the movement, the dispute has exposed the communal mindset and the divisive politics in the state.
However, the temperature in the Kashmir Valley has been soaring since then and the political parties are fully aware of its fall out on the elections.
The controversy put the Congress and the PDP on the back foot, since the two parties were involved in the transfer of nearly 40 hectares of land to the Amarnath shrine board in the Valley on May 26.
The move prompted widespread protests in the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley and the order was revoked. The cancellation triggered counter-agitation in the Hindu-dominated Jammu region. What followed were days of curfew and shutdowns that snowballed into the state being polarised between Jammu and Kashmir.
On Aug 31, the government attempted a settlement by setting aside the land for the Amarnath board but specifying that it was only for the duration of the annual pilgrimage.
The breakthrough in the negotiations evoked mixed response with street celebrations in Jammu while Kashmir Valley witnessed sporadic violent protests against the agreement, which was rejected by PDP and separatist groups but welcomed by BJP, NC and VHP.
The conflict over the piece of land pitted Kashmiri Muslims and Hindus in J&K against each other while threatening the division of the state on religious lines. At least 50 people were killed in the violence.
Blame game
Riding high on the success of its agitation over the Amarnath row, the saffron brigade is now devising strategies to open its account and strengthen its political base in the state.
A war of words has started between the archrivals - the BJP and the Congress – who have hurled allegations of delaying and fuelling the agitation against each other. The Congress, which is still to recover from its political losses in the Jammu region and the Valley, has blamed the separatists for taking advantage of the situation.
In a bid to pacify people’s anger in Jammu over the dispute, the Congress now wants to take credit for brokering deal with the Sangharsh Samiti and put the blame on the PDP for the entire mess.
On the other hand, the PDP and the National Conference which have been thrown in the backstage by the resurgence of the separatist leaders and are struggling to end their increasing alienation in the wake of Amarnath controversy. However, the two parties have taken a U-turn by announcing their participation in the elections. |
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