Srinagar, Sep 29: The lapsing of the resolution for clemency to parliament attack convict Afzal Guru has shown ruling National Conference and Congress in poor light whileas Congress has emerged as the true winner playing to its vote bank in Jammu as well as acquitting itself well at the national level.
BJP too lost the plot. The party was used as a pawn by the Congress in its move to scuttle the resolution. Congress raised the issue of the BJP’s seven legislators who were expelled by the party for cross-voting early this year but were still present in the house. The party’s members called on Speaker Muhammad Akbar Lone to disqualify them and when Lone explained that the matter was sub-judice, they worked up a sustained uproar which didn’t abate until the Speaker adjourned the house for the third successive time. This time for the day.
 Every party was working to a prepared script: an easy, no-brainer piece of drama to be performed with little use of lung power and plenty of silence.  Congress and BJP raked up the ruckus by taking on each other while NC and PDP looked on passively.
 Striking a jarring note amid this rehearsed din was Engineer Rashid, the mover of the resolution. He let out his anger on the lifeless fans in front of the treasury benches, kicking these one by one, even the one before the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s chair.  It was Speaker’s timely intervention which saved him from being dragged out of the house by marshals.
 But outside the assembly, PDP and NC were back in their element, playing to their respective constituencies. PDP blamed “NC the director” to playing the actors, Congress and BJP, in a stage-managed show. NC blamed Congress and BJP scuffle for its inaction and Congress in turn blamed the Speaker for not deciding on the BJP’s expelled MLAs in time for the resolution to come for discussion. BJP felt no need to say anything. The party emerged as one of the biggest losers in the drama. It is not even in a position to say that it sabotaged the resolution.
 Today again Rashid tried to bring the spotlight back on the issue by staging a sit-in outside the assembly. Even though he was allegedly roughed up the police and dragged out of the house premises, Rashid has succeeded in putting himself in the centre of action while NC and PDP despite making noises geared to their constituencies in the Valley lacked credibility.
 The resolution on Afzal Guru and the way it fared in the house bodes well for Rashid’s political career. The way he has conducted himself through the current Assembly session and even outside it, MLA from Langate has of all the political parties in the Valley succeeded in reflecting the majority sentiment in Valley. Has this finally heralded his arrival on the political scene in Valley? Next Assembly elections hold the key.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 29 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST