The real winner in the recent DDC polls is India, its ethos, values and the Centre’s decision to completely integrate the State with the nation
The Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is set to chart the course of development and social inclusion. The Valley is no longer the political fiefdom of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) or Gupkar Alliance. Its members were expecting an absolute majority of the people to vote in their favour in the District Development Council (DDC) polls. However, a large number of the people of the Valley have put their faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Plus, Independents turned out to be key players during these elections, registering their win on 50 seats.
In Kashmir, the BJP has won three seats, contrary to the expectations of the Gupkar Alliance and has polled a good number of votes in all. The party contested on 115 seats. In Jammu region, it fought on 129 seats, won 72 seats and lost 57. The BJP’s overall vote percentage is 24.64 per cent as compared to 22.92 per cent polled by the PAGD. Independent candidates polled 28.36 per cent votes, while the Congress got around 14 per cent.
The performance of the Independents and the BJP points to the people’s disenchantment with the Gupkar Alliance, which has just registered the proverbial Pyrrhic victory. In the DDC elections the real winner is India, Indian ethos, values and the decision of the Union Government to completely integrate J&K with the nation.
This was on hold due to those who had converted the region into their political fiefdom in their nefarious pursuit to exploit the innocent people and resources meant for the citizens.
Over the years, corrupt politicians looted the Valley’s resources to fill their own coffers and kept dancing to the tune of divisive forces. It was the daring decision and vision of Modi, which ensured the complete integration of the Valley into India.
Even though the Gupkar Alliance has won, but the fact that the BJP has emerged as the single-largest party, has made the people’s intent clear. They are strongly aligned to the Constitution, democracy and India.
Had the Gupkar Alliance members fought the election individually, they would have been decimated. Instead of working hard to mitigate the woes and hardships of the people of the Valley and taking the benefits of welfare schemes to them, the corrupt politicians misled the people and kept the citizens impoverished.
Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, sacrificed his life spearheading a nationwide non-violent agitation demanding complete integration of J&K into the Indian Union. On May 10,1953, he courted arrest chanting the slogan that there can’t be two Constitutions, two Prime Ministers and two flags in one nation. He was taken to Srinagar jail where he died under mysterious circumstances on June 23, 1953.
By revoking Article 370 on August 5, 2019, the Central Government has enabled the people of the region to access all Central Government programmes and laws including the right to reservation for the disempowered, right to education and right to information, besides other facilities.
The UTs of J&K and Ladakh have adopted an ambitious road map of peace and progress, ushering in a new era of inclusive development and transparent governance in the entire region. The Central Government has adopted an integrated approach to build state-of-the-art infrastructure and unleashed a slew of fast track social welfare and employment-generation schemes and programmes.
This is especially true for Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) including cottage, handicraft, handloom and horticulture enterprises as the schemes are aimed at comprehensive growth and the socio-economic emancipation of the marginalised and underprivileged sections of society in all three regions.
Good quality, all-weather roads and national highways enhancing the hitherto lacking inter and intra-region connectivity have gone a long way in promoting and creating fresh employment opportunities in the post-bifurcation period. Tourism has always been the lifeline of Kashmir’s economy and the enhanced infrastructure is proving to be a key to its success by promoting exports from the Valley as well.
The Road Transport and Highways Ministry, with its arms like the National Highways Authority of India and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation, in concert with the Border Roads Organisation and the State Public Works Department are currently engaged in completing a series of projects which will give impetus to growth and help entrepreneurs establish producer companies with focus on further development of sericulture, cold water fisheries, woodwork, cricket bats, saffron, handicraft and horticulture produce.
Jammu, with a rapidly-growing rail and road connectivity, including the Jammu Ring Road, is witnessing a huge economic boost with flourishing religious tourism and start-ups in businesses like wood grain work, mills, basmati rice trade, rice mills, carpets, electronic items and electric goods.
Similarly, Ladakh is witnessing an unprecedented boost to infrastructure development with all-weather roads and highway networks coming up in a big way in difficult terrains and at strategic locations. Domestic and international tourism promotion has been given a big push in Ladakh.
The sky seems to be the limit, with central financial packages to Ladakh resulting in a phenomenal growth in its economy through enhanced agriculture and livestock activities. The Centre and the State administration must join hands and ensure all round development of the region.
(The writer is deputy in-charge of BJP for J&K. The views expressed are personal.)