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| BSP wants J&K to be trifurcated | | Major Development | | Rustam
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, July 12: It is a major development in the political history of J&K. Jammu had witnessed in the immediate past the rise of political formations demanding trifurcation of the state. Three such organizations were Jammu Mukti Morcha (JMM), which now functions as the Jammu State Morcha - Progressive (JSM - P); the RSS-sponsored Jammu State Morcha (JSM); and the Duggar Pradesh Party (DPP). The RSS disbanded the JSM on the eve of the 2008 Assembly elections for reasons best known to it. Between 2003 and 2007, the BJP also advocated the need for the state's reorganization and at least thrice demand for Jammu a "political instrument invested with legislative, executive and financial powers" and UT for Ladakh. In other words, the BJP stood for the state's trifurcation for at least five years. The BJP has, like the RSS, also abandoned its reorganization plank. And, it is understandable. After all, the BJP is the political organ of the RSS. The Panthers Party is another Jammu-based political outfit that has been working for the state's reorganization and demanding separate chief minister and separate assembly for Jammu province. The Panthers Party doesn't use the term trifurcation. It uses the term reorganization.
Last year, Health Minister in the NC-Congress coalition government and Congress leader Sham Lal Sharma had demanded statehood for Jammu and he had made this demand in a public meeting that was presided over by the JKPCC chief Saif-ud-Din Soz. He had made this demand in Bani, Kathua. Significantly, his brother and former Cabinet Minister in the J&K Government and who at present is Congress MP from Jammu-Poonch parliamentary constituency Madan Lal Sharma had swung solidly behind his under-attack-brother. Even some Congressmen had upped their ante against Sham Lal and demanded stringent action against him. Madan Lal Sharma had taken on the critics of his brother and publicly stated that "if the Kashmiri leaders could demand autonomy or self-rule or azadi from India why can't they demand statehood for Jammu?" These were important developments that unfolded last year.
However, it was only the day before yesterday that the demand for the state's trifurcation gained momentum in Jammu. As a matter of fact, on July 10, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) submitted a detailed memorandum to the interlocutors in Jammu and demanded trifurcation of the state. Tulsi Das Langeh, president of the state unit of the BSP, submitted the said memorandum. It was indeed a major political development. It needs to be noted that the BSP is a force to reckon with in the Jammu province, notwithstanding the fact that it doesn't have a single MLA or MLC. In 1996, the BSP had captured four seats and in 2002, just one. The BSP lost popular support because its MLAs turned out to be rank opportunists and self-seekers. They ditched their own party for personal benefit, thus harming the long-term interests of the party.
As mentioned, the BSP continues to be a major force in the Jammu province. The Dalits constitute the third largest social group in Jammu province. They have substantial presence in Kathua, Samba and Jammu districts and they have sizeable number in Udhampur, Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Rajouri districts. Poonch is the only district where the presence of Dalits is not of much consequence. The demand put forth by the BSP for the state's trifurcation thus assumes great significance. It will have its repercussions on the state politics in general and the Jammu politics in particular.
What did Langeh told media persons after submitting the historic memorandum? He told them: "We have submitted the memorandum to the interlocutors with various demands and suggestions, including the trifurcation of J&K as one of the most important demands, which is the only solution for an equitable development of all the three regions." "He also said: "Ours was the opinion that state should be trifurcated into three parts with Jammu and Kashmir as (full-fledged) states and Ladakh Union territory…J&K already enjoys vast powers and there should not be any scope for even thinking about autonomy, self-rule or azadi."
Whatever Langeh said was unambiguous, clear and candid. There was no ambiguity. Was it not a significant political development? Of course, it was. |
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