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| NC unlikely to withdraw order, Congress the alternative | | LAWYERS' STRIKE | | NEHA
JAMMU, Dec 18: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his close lieutenants in the government will not withdraw the controversial order that seeks to transfer the power of registration from the judiciary to the executive. It is almost clear. If still the protesting lawyers pin their faith in the NC leadership hoping the latter would see reason and rescind the order, then they are simply wasting their time and energy. It is a futile exercise. They are not going to achieve the objective which has behind it the popular support for obvious reasons, including the people's well-founded apprehension that the implementation of the government order on registration powers would hit them hard, promote corruption and cause inordinate delays because the required infrastructure and revenue officials are not available. The NC leadership is as it is. It is known for its obstinacy, arrogance and insensitivity. Besides, it is also known for its utter contempt for democratic norms and participatory democracy. It is basically dictatorial and intolerant.
As said, the agitated lawyers are simply wasting their time and energy by trying to persuade the NC leadership. They are seeking to achieve the unachievable. It's true that in the process the infuriated lawyers have also denounced the NC leaders, particularly Omar Abdullah, and raised very strong slogans against him and others. But have they succeeded? They have not succeeded. On the contrary, there are reports that persons very close to the Chief Minister have told the lawyers' leadership that the "government would not reconsider its decision". It, according to insiders, "transpired in the presence of the Revenue Minister three days ago and at a time when the Bar Association Jammu, along with several organizations, had already given a call for Jammu bandh on December 20".
The community of lawyers needs to look towards other options. The best option could be the Congress party with whose support the NC is ruling or misruling the state. They should concentrate on the Congress party. Their engagement with the Congress leadership could click and produce the desired results. The Congress party is at the receiving end across the country and its leadership is trying its best to establish rapport with the alienated sections of society. It, like the NC leadership, was also obstinate, arrogant, insensitive and unaccommodating till the other day. It has now seen the writing on the wall and is trying to build bridges. The change in the attitude took place, particularly after the collapse of the Cabinet decision on 51 per cent foreign direct investment in the multi-brand retail trade and 100 per cent in single-brand trade. The Anna factor has been working as an additional factor, with the cornered and isolated Congress party doing its best to retrieve the situation. The Congress leadership and the Prime Minister and his coterie are now convinced that they are suffering primarily because of their style of functioning and that they have to be flexible while dealing with issues of public and national import.
The Congress leadership in the state is fully aware of the Congress' plight in Jammu province and the rest of the country. Hence, it could be easily persuaded. It could be candidly told that its indifferent attitude to the popular demand would have serious repercussions in the Jammu province, which is its core constituency. The JKPCC chief, Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz's statement on the issue could be construed as a positive development, notwithstanding his suggestion that the lawyers should withdraw their strike and discuss the issue with the Chief Minister. The fact that the JKPCC has said that the registration powers should remain with the courts and that the transfer of registration powers to the revenue depart would create confusion clearly suggests that the Congress party is amenable. Since it is amenable, it would be only desirable if the lawyers' leadership cultivates the Congress. The Congress can help resolve the issue by telling the NC leadership that it should behave failing which it would be forced to adopt an appropriate course to tell its ally that it is not the sole factor in the government. |
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