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| PDP strategy to corner NC in reversal of 'political roles'? | | Women's PRC disqualification Bill | |
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Mar 9: Notwithstanding the strong , vociferous opposition by parties like RJD, SP and others against the women's Reservation Bill in the Parliament on Monday, the move came as a reassurance, rather a gift for the women of the country by the ruling dispensation on the International Women's Day. In contrast what came as a shocker for the females of J&K state was introduction of a Bill that favours their disqualification from being a Permanent Resident with a non permanent resident male and also on termination of marriage of a non resident female with a permanent resident husband.
What is seen as even more shocking is the fact that the Bill moved by PDP Legislator Murtaza Khan was allowed in the House unopposed by both the ruling partners NC as well as Congress in the coalition government. Though in political terms, allowing the introduction of the Bill conveniently, is being seen as a political strategy to protect NC interests in the face of it having been moved by its arch rival PDP. Since the political interests and concerns on this controversial Bill are similar for both these regional parties, therefore it makes no surprise for the political observers at this strategy at introductory stage.
The controversial Bill, it may be recalled was passed by the Legislative Assembly in March 2004.However, Congress which was then the coalition partner of PDP led alliance in the state voted against it the Upper House along with other Jammu based parties including JKNPP and BJP. Under high drama of debate and heated discussion and amid some technical loopholes, the Bill could not get through and was returned to Assembly for the discussion .Important to remember is the fact NC while in Opposition at that time had supported the Bill even though it was brought by by ruling dispensation, primarily by its arch rival PDP at that time.
The Bill is same, the only difference this time being in certain additions by the mover Murtaza Khan in terms of including the women from outside the state who marry the permanent resident males and widows losing the Permanent Resident Certificate in the event of divorce or termination of marriage in the former category and in the event of widows choosing to settle down outside the state after the death of their permanent resident husbands. In its entirety, the spirit of the Bill is same of depriving the women their rights on the basis of certain conditionalities, fundamentally seeking to annul their permanent resident rights. Under the purview of the provisions of this piece of Legislation, the bill deprives women of the right to own and inherit immovable property, get government jobs and other privileges if they marry non-state subjects.
In other words, the political ghost has recurred, only that the two arch rivals PDP and NC this time are in reversal of roles in context of their positioning(PDP being in opposition and NC as ruling party), though the mover continues to be same party PDP. Intersting to watch is the fact that while it was NC in opposition which tried to create embarrassing situations for ruling PDP at that time (2004) by supporting it thoroughly , trying to corner PDP for its alliance with Congress that opposed the Bill, PDP it now seems is all set to repeat the similar situations for NC this time on the same bill.
Ruling NC which remained the protagonist of the Bill earlier while in opposition cannot afford to say no the Bill forthright while in ruling dispensation this time. Knowing well that there is convergence of interests of both the parties on some key issues, the PDP has already made the position of NC dicey, rather made them appear on a slippery political ground by raking up the issues like revocation of Armed Forces Special Act and withdrawal of troops from the state in the Lower House by way of resolutions. It was reasons apparent that some of the NC members supported these resolutions and Law minister tried to make a common cause with the concerns but when it came to voting, had to say no because of Congress(alliance factor).
Thus it appears that PDP is again in a mood to expose its rival party NC by adopting the strategies and raking up the issues that makes NC position uneasy and awkward in political terms as outside the House both the parties cry hoarse and in unequivocal terms on these issues related to Kashmir constituency. As far as Congress is concerned, its position continues to be equally picquant and difficult against the brazen criticism of its rival BJP and other parties but its role becomes important only at the time of discussion and voting.
The discussion on this Bill that has been introduced will take place during the next session of Legislature. In terms of numbers in the House, the fate of the Bill is almost a foregone conclusion. Since PDP this time has no stakes while in opposition, what remains to be seen is the question that will NC be able to play the same 'role' on the Bill it played in 2004 or will have to perform some tongue twisting techiniques again to save itself from political upheavals vis-à-vis its ties with the Congress.
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