Knowing that the resolution to Kashmir within the Indian constitution has been million times rejected by the separatist leadership commanding great deal of respect among the youth in Kashmir the Governor Satya Pal Malik is now trying to neutralise the two largest mainstream political parties National Conference (NC) and PDP just to create space for smaller parties having the capacity of wining not more than two assembly seats in the state but lacking the capacity to resist Modi government’s non stop tinkering with the laws governing special status to Jammu . Though Governor reserves the right to claim credit for holding municipal and panchayat elections despite boycotted by both National Conference (NC) and PDP but the low percentage despite active participation by Congress, Peoples Conference and BJP itself speaks volumes about the credibility of the recently held municipal and panchayat elections in the state. Governor’s contention that he in breech of protocol reached out to PDP President Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah to persuade them to participate in Panchayat and municipal elections is challengeable on many counts as question can be asked if he was finding National Conference (NC) and PDP relevant for participation in municipal and Panchayat elections then why did not give them a simple assurance on behalf of the state government over the challenge to article 35 A governing property rights act in the state to ensure their participation in the civic elections. Governor appointing BJP leaders on government positions is in itself an indication that he by virtue of his actions has brought into question the political neutrality of the highest constitutional office of the Jammu & Kashmir state.
A governor showing intolerance against mainstream’s dissenting voices can’t offer breathing space to the dissenting voices representing separatists in Kashmir. Governor’s utterances are an indication that he is on war with Kashmir’s top mainstream parties.
Above all Governor by tinkering with the legislations passed by the previous popular governments’ one after the other has shaken the faith of people in the highest law making body (Assembly) of the state. Claiming credit for the municipal and panchayat elections in the state and passing the buck on the conduct of the timing of the assembly elections shows the intents of governor on restoration of popular rule in the state. Governor talks about democracy but his remarks against National Conference and PDP show his intolerance against even the mainstream’s dissenting voices. A governor showing intolerance against mainstream’s dissenting voices can’t offer breathing space to the dissenting voices representing separatists in Kashmir. Governor’s utterances are an indication that he is on war with Kashmir’s top mainstream parties.
