Thursday, March 28, 2024
 
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Is it working well ?
BJP-PDP alliance




By Amit Kushari


When the PDP leadership of Kashmir decided to join hands with BJP, to form a govt. in J&K, in March 2015, many people were surprised. PDP represents a large cross section of Kashmiri Muslims who would like to maintain a distance from BJP, like most other Muslims of India. PDP could have joined hands with Congress also to form a govt. and with a little bit of support from Independents and others the alliance would have got a thin majority. However, Mufti Sahib decided against that and shook hands with BJP–taking the risk of annoying his own voters. Being a shrewd statesman, he knew that it was wiser to be friendly with the ruling party in Delhi for getting a good flow of funds for development. Further, the Centre will not find it easy to dismiss his govt, if BJP is his junior partner. Moreover, with BJP as an ally it would be easier to find a more honourable place for Kashmiris in the Indian political system. All these calculations are going in the right direction so far. PDP was successful in convincing the Centre that Kashmiris need more autonomy and so plans for abolishing Article 370 have gone into a deep freeze. The alliance is working more or less satisfactorily for the Kashmiris.



But how is it working for the Jammuites? Before the coming of the Modi wave, Jammuites did not vote for the BJP in large numbers because they knew that BJP had no chance to be a part of the state govt. For the first time Jammuites voted 25 BJP MLAs to power. It was absolutely necessary for the BJP to share power in the state so that their voters did not feel that their votes have gone waste and they did not regret not voting for the Congress. So Jammuites were initially very happy that their MLAs were in power in the state govt. But this happiness is thinning out very fast. They had a lot of expectations from the BJP which have not been fulfilled. They have suffered a lot from the border firing by Pakistan. They had thought that once the BJP would be in power in Delhi as well as J& K, Pakistan would be subjugated by their ‘Iron Man’, Modi and achhe din would come here to stay. All their hopes were dashed. The inflation is extremely high and people are disbelieving the govt. figures on price rise. Edible oils and pulses have become very expensive. Vegetables have almost become untouchables. Mustard oil sells for Rs 110 per litre. Moong dal is Rs 130 per kg. Masoor is Rs. 110/- per kg. Onions have crossed Rs. 40 per kg. PM had promised to bring kaala dhan back from abroad–that has also fizzled out.



The biggest disappointment of BJP voters is due to the huge downfall in the image of their demi-god leader Modi who now looks pathetically like a God that failed. Modi was unable to punish his delinquent ministers, Sushma Swaraj, Vasundhara Raje, Shivraj Chauhan. People perceive God as the chief executive of this universe who is also the chief justice. God gives both punishments and rewards — that is why he is called Almighty. Modi was perceived as reincarnation of Lord Vishwanath and Lord Ram and with Modi as PM India would be rid of all evils and all bad governance. Modi has tumbled down from that high pedestal. Besides he is appearing in advertisements of the Petroleum Ministry for giving up subsidy on gas cylinders while MPs enjoy huge subsidies and privileges. This job of advertisements could have been left to popular film stars and cricketers. When I see the PM of the country appearing in such an insensitive and improper advertisement, as an admirer of PM Modi my head hangs in shame. Now it seems highly possible that NDA could lose the Bihar elections. This was unthinkable six months back. People in Jammu who voted for BJP earlier might be having second thoughts now. If this tendency continues then in a few years, I apprehend, the dynastic rule of the Congress may come back. To prevent that Modi will have to do a few very difficult things. For example, he will have to capture Dawood Ibrahim and Hafiz Sayeed and Lakhvi and bring them to justice in India. Modi could try to bring back some land from POK. Modi could construct the Ram temple in Ayodhya or introduce uniform civil code. These are very difficult tasks—almost impossible, but unless these are done BJP may not get more than 150 seats in the next Lok Sabha. He should abandon the Land Bill because it is harming BJP’s electoral interests. He should take a more pro poor and anti rich posture. He should be more pro worker and pro middle class. He should not appear to be pro industrialists only.




(Amit Kushari (IAS, Retd.) is former Financial Commissioner, J&K. Feedback at [email protected] or contact at 09748635185)


Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Scoop News and Scoop News does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.



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