Preferring to maintain status quo on the contentious Article 370 and to conduct a thorough review of security situation to see if Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) can be repealed, the BJP-PDP’s ‘Agenda for Alliance’, officially unveiled on Sunday, lays special emphasis on one-time settlement for refugees from PoK who came during 1947, 1965 and 1971 and measures for sustenance and livelihood of West Pakistani refugees.
The agenda, released by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, will be the guiding framework for governance of the coalition Government in J&K for the next six years. The agenda materialised after the two parties covered a lot of ground and accommodated each other’s divergent view points before evolving a broader consensus which resulted in both sides departing from their long-held positions, or at least, preferring not to rake it up for now.
On Article 370, which gives special status to the State, the BJP, which has been demanding its abrogation, has now agreed on status quo. “While recognising the different positions and appreciating the perception, the BJP and the PDP have on the constitutional status of J&K, considering the political and legislative realities, the present position will be maintained on all the constitutional provisions pertaining to J&K, including the special status in the Constitution,” the agenda outlines.
While dealing with the issue of AFSPA, the agenda stated, “In this context, the coalition Government will thoroughly review the security situation in the State with a view to examine the need for desirability of all the special laws being applied to the State in view of the situation improving... the alliance Government will examine the need for de-notifying disturbed areas. This, as a consequence, would enable the Union Government to take a final view on the continuation of AFSPA in these areas.”
While the PDP had maintained in its manifesto that it will review the Disturbed Areas Act, its leaders, during electioneering, had promised that if voted to power, the party will ensure that the AFSPA is withdrawn from the State. BJP, on the other, had opposed any withdrawal of the AFSPA. When Mufti was asked whether he was saddened by the stand taken on AFSPA, he shot back saying, “What do you want, peace or AFSPAIJ” “I know how to ensure that Army is made accountable. Being the Chief Minister, I am also the chairman of the Unified Command,” he said. AFSPA gives immunity from prosecution and other legal proceedings to personnel of the armed forces.
On 25,000 families of West Pakistan refugees, for whom the BJP had promised citizenship of the country, the agenda says it will “work out a one-time settlement for refugees from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir of 1947, 1965 and 1971”. “Take measures for sustenance and livelihood of West Pakistan refugees. Extend all benefits accruing to the people living on the line of control to the people living on the international border.”
The agenda also stated that the State Government would work with the Centre to explore the modalities for transfer of Dulhasti and Uri Hydro Power Projects to J&K as suggested by the Rangrajan Committee report and the round table conference reports. It further listed a slew of measures (sector wise) to ensure all-round development of all three regions and promotion of tourism across the State.
An understanding has also been reached between the alliance partners to ensure full funding of the rehabilitation and reconstruction plan of flood-affected victims and their families. A suggestion too has been incorporated to include Jammu and Srinagar in the list of Smart cities announced in this years’ Budget. The alliance partners also agreed to constitute a steering committee comprising the PDP and BJP chief and four members each from both the parties for overseeing implementation of the ‘Agenda of the Alliance’.