The BJP’s unprecedented triumph in the Assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir has compelled many separatist leaders to get involved in the poll discourse.
Though most of them maintain that polls would not impact the disputability of Kashmir, many leaders are exhibiting anxiety over the formation of the next Government in sequel to recent Assembly polls. All separatist groups are opposed to conduct of or participation in elections in the embattled State. Since 1990, when anti-India armed insurgency began, the separatists have called for poll boycott and most of times enforced it. This time, however, they did not engage in aggressive poll-boycott campaign though many of them were put behind bars or held within the precincts of their residences.
The 65 per cent turnout baffled most of the separatist leaders. However, the emergence of the BJP as a force to form the Government or become part of it has shaken them the most. The separatists are worried that the BJP’s ascendance to the echelons of power would not be in the interests of Kashmiri people. The separatists tasted the BJP Government’s hardnosed approach last year when the Central Government called-off scheduled talks between the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan over Pakistan High Commissioner’s “feedback meeting” with separatist leaders.
Perhaps in this backdrop, former Hurriyat Conference chairman Prof Abdul Gani Bhat called upon Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, apparently to warn him on the “dangers” of aligning with the BJP. Bhat reportedly held an hour-long discussion with Mufti at latter’s residence on Wednesday. Bhat and Mufti have studied together but pursued diametrically opposite political ideologies.
While Mufti boasts the distinction of being the only Muslim Home Minister in post-independence India, Bhat, a former Persian professor was dismissed from Government service for his pro-Pakistan outlook in mid-1980s. He later founded Muslim Conference, a political group that wants Kashmir’s merger with Pakistan. He became APHC Chairman in 2000.
Bhat neither confirmed nor denied his meeting with Mufti. “Agendas cannot be discussed individually. If it was just a meeting it could have nothing beyond a meeting”, he said. “Snakes can marry rats and bulls chase lizards, anything can happen with reference to the formation of the Government but at present we can say let us not count stars which lie beyond”, he added.
However, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who heads the moderate faction of APHC, of which Bhat is a senior leader, told a gathering at Srinagar’s Grand Mosque before the Friday’s congregational prayers that the elections can in no way affect the historical and political reality associated with the Kashmir dispute. “The elections have no capacity or authority to undermine the dissent of the people who have been struggling for their rights for decades”, Mirwaiz said.
But, senior separatist leader and founder chairman of United Jehad Council Azam Inquilabi, who shunned violence to return to politics in mid-1990s, also exhibited his concern on Government formation.“Mufti Muhammad Sayeed should understand the psyche of a Kashmiri and should not waste his time to form a civilian government in the state with the support of regional parties and some independent members”, Inquilabi said. “let us be realistic and admit that some people voted for PDP and this party has support base and those who voted for this party want it to form the government. A common Kashmiri hit by floods needs relief and it is the local government that can provide relief to him,” Inqalabi told a local news agency.
“Mufti should cease the opportunity and forge an alliance with regional parties to keep BJP at bay,” he said. Senior separatist leader Shabir Shah and Asiya Andrabi also cautioned against formation of a government in Jammu and Kashmir that includes BJP. However, another section of separatists has expressed dismay over their colleagues’ statements on the government formation. “We are opposed to the conduct of elections. Who forms the government and remains out of it is none of our business. When we express our concern or happiness over the government formation, we are actually legitimizing the process”, Hilal War, a leader of Mirwaiz’s Hurriyat said.