Jammu & Kashmir - The Political Challenges Ahead

(4th March,2009)

After decades of gloom, the State of Jammu & Kashmir, particularly the Kashmir region opted for a tangible change, the people across the troubled State themselves made it happen. A change which is being seen as a positive change for majority of the players connected with the affairs of this northern State of India.
The change which has finally pushed the new breed of leaders to the forefront, although half a decade late, is expected to offer new challenges to those who have been elected to / elected out of power and those who are yet to do some soul searching to find out what they want - separation from India to form an independent State / merge with Pakistan or autonomy within the umbrella of Constitution of India or just leave it to the gods.
Back in early part of this decade, couple of important political activists across various parties confided that the pressure was being build on them to step back and allow the Generation Next to the take over the political stage and induce new thought process across the State. The source of this thought was not just from New Delhi but also from various other countries, minus China and Pakistan.
The change was adopted by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference much faster than those who have been voicing their concerns under the roof of the Constitution of India. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq become the first new breed politician to take over the affairs of the political setup, All Parties Hurriyat Conference. The other high profile change was Omar Abdullah taking over the President-ship of NC from his father in 2002. Within Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic (PDP) - Mufti Mohammad Sayeed gave way to his daughter as President of the party. The message was clear - the seasoned politicians of the Valley could no longer sell more dreams to the populace of the Valley in particular.
Now with Omar Abdullah as the new Chief Minister of the State of Jammu & Kashmir, there are many hawks sitting on the fence watching. Will Omar be able to deliver to the expectations of his party, Congress, Hurriyat / separatists, the fractured State of Jammu & Kashmir? Will he be able to heal the divided which was created during the Amarnath escapade? What Pakistan has been trying to do since 1947 and failing miserably - was done by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq by giving one statement- dividing the State on religious grounds. The challenge before Omar Abdullah would also include the task of cementing these fractured sentiments across the State.
While Omar has assured the people of the State “a clean government”. The challenge before him would be two fold – political hawks within his own party and the bureaucracy. He may be able to induce his thought process to some extent or to some levels; the main challenge would be to make those within his government to toe the line, who are in day to day contact with the public as corruption in the States is twofold ; at the high level where contracts and businesses are decided throwing a directly impact on the ordinary citizens of the State.
The disconnect which would require attention is to balance between kudos at the national level and inducement of a political will at the State level.