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| PDP’s boycott strategy- politics of symbolism or escapism ….? | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
Jammu, Oct 2: Even as the Autumn session of Assembly commenced relatively on a peaceful note two days back, the main opposition party People’s Democratic Party (PDP) once again made itself conspicuous this time by taking what is being viewed as ‘escapist’ route in deciding to boycott rest of the session proceedings, which indeed will last only in few days. This sort of ‘escapism strategy’ surprised many who were expecting the party to take on with full political might the ruling allies, particularly its rival NC for everything that went wrong during the past over three months.
Perhaps that was the strategy high command had in its mind and was apparently conveyed to legislators, some of whom spoke to media a day early about party having decided to adopt a ‘responsible, constructive and serious role’ in the Assembly in order to ameliorate the sufferings of common masses. But a day later in the Assembly on the opening day, whatever the Legislators party led by president Mehbooba Mufti did was contrary to the optimism expressed by many senior leaders about the ‘behaviour’ of the party in the House in terms of raising , if not raking up, some meaningful issues which would have given some succor and relief to the people aggrieved on many fronts.
The party leadership justified its decision to boycott the rest of the Assembly Session in by saying that National Conference (NC) led government has eroded sanctity of the House and therefore there was no point becoming a part of the proceedings and business whatsoever scheduled for over week long session. Given the continuous spell of disturbances, over 100 killings and a state of complete anarchy which prevailed in Kashmir for a long period , PDP’s concern for the masses and annoyance with the government for its failure on many fronts is quite genuine and understandably explicit. Apparently on that premise the party feels Assembly being a part of the government system has become ‘useless’ forum for them where they cannot derive nor achieve anything ‘good’ for the masses. One might agree with such belief and appreciate their concern for the aggrieved people who are equally disenchanted with the government and all inherent systems.
But the moot question remains, rather one fails to understand if the state’s biggest opposition party having quite seasoned leadership, has chosen to stick to the House which more often than not they have been pronouncing as having lost its sanctity. From even a common man’s perception, the Assembly session, no matter for few days could have provided them a best forum to sort out the issues that have ailed Kashmir for past some months. Since the session coincidently has been convened under the shadow of a situation which is far from being normal, it would have enabled the angry PDP leadership and its Legislators to ‘battle out’ with strong offensive while taking on a seemingly helpless and clueless coalition government in the state.
The political acumen of the PDP leadership did not follow this route. They instead adopted a strategy which, perhaps, they think would fetch them more benefits in more than one way. By not staying on the benches of the Assembly the PDP has ostensibly tried to address more than political dimension. One that it has tried to address their political constituency by conveying the masses who too are at loggerheads with the government that PDP is on their side and ‘ not a part of the government business’ even if it is the Assembly session of which they representatives sent by the people. By not resorting to loud cries and generating heat in the Legislature , the PDP leadership has also tried to keep New Delhi in good humor . The PDP gesture of boycotting or staying away from the Assembly augurs well with the ‘theory’ of the separatist camp, if not makes them happy since the writ of this camp still runs large in present circumstances in Kashmir constituencies.
Be that as it may, the PDP strategy this time has come in for criticism as it is being seen not only as ‘escapism and defeatist’ strategy but the one replete with vacillating overtures. In contrast to the strategies loaded with wisdom and political acumen, the party, in fact for the last two years has been seen taking ‘impulsive’ decisions which reflect it is shorn of a sane, mature and serious as well as sensible advise. It goes without saying that the ‘advisors’ in the second line have changed in the party and the role has been taken over by the ones who apparently have ‘vested interests’ in keeping the things their way. But a politically far mature leadership of the party are too wise not to understand that people no longer get swayed by such ‘symbolic tactics’. For majority of them today ask if they are truly disenchanted with the system, they must quit as Legislators, rather than resorting to routes which only reflect doublespeak approach of the party. |
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