New Delhi appointing a man with political background as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir did not go well with National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, Congress and others.
The appointment of Satya Pal Malik as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir disappointed NC and PDP equally. They never wanted a politician to head the state that too when the Jammu and Kashmir was placed under Governor’s rule. Their worst fears have come true as they are no longer able to dictate terms to the Raj Bhawan nor the Centre as Governor Malik is a seasoned politician and they cannot play gimmicks with him. He understands the psychology of the politicians and knows how to handle them.
Since 1990, Kashmir politicians have been creating a “scare” in New Delhi and have always played a role to choose who would be the J&K’s Governor. During all these years either retired Army Generals or retired bureaucrats have held the top position in the state. This time around BJP led NDA government changed the trend and sent a politician to Jammu and Kashmir. Just within a few months Governor Malik has proved that the move has worked. He has opened all the channels of communications with the people and has even kept the doors of Raj Bhawan open for everyone.
After Governor Malik took over the reins of the state National Conference and PDP tried to create a scare by boycotting the urban local bodies and panchayat polls. Both the parties were under the illusion that their tactic would work and people sitting in New Delhi would knock at their doors and request them to contest the polls. But it did not happen. Governor Malik remained firm on his stand that panchayat and ULB polls would be held with or without NC and PDP. In fact at one point of time both the parties had threatened that they would also boycott the assembly and parliamentary polls in the state but they were forced to change their decision after the successful completion of panchayat and ULB polls. It seems that Governor Malik has hit the nail on its head and is dealing the Kashmiri politicians in his own way.
Both NC and PDP have failed to create any scare since the day Governor Malik has taken the charge. To corner Governor Malik they are looking for new ideas and methods. In the recent past both NC and PDP leaders have launched scathing attacks on Governor Malik and have tried their best to somehow corner him. But the Governor Malik on most of the occasions has outsmarted them.
Kashmiri politicians are missing the retired Army Generals and the bureaucrats as heads of the state as these people used to listen to them. They are finding it difficult to deal with a man who himself knows the in and out of politics and is aware of the games which politicians can play. The politicians in Kashmir would have to wait till forthcoming parliamentary polls. If BJP wins the elections that would mean Governor Malik would continue to stay in J&K. In case BJP ends up on the other side of the fence then NC and PDP can once again get Governor of their choice that too if they are able to perform well in the assembly polls.
For time being NC and PDP should concentrate on elections and stop playing politics with Governor Malik. They have an uphill task at their hands as both the parties are uncertain about their future. Both the parties have lost the ground even in their citadels. They know that sooner or later elections would be held but they still are clueless about what they can sell to people as their slogans and promises have become outdated. It seems that Kashmir based parties are heavily banking upon the boycott factor as this has helped them win the elections since 1996. But the problem which mainstream parties are facing is that they can no longer “blackmail” Delhi and tell the people sitting there that they should help them win the elections if they want tricolor to fly in Jammu and Kashmir. Since the day Governor’s rule has been imposed in J&K tricolor has been flying and many people, including NC and PDP leaders, are desperate to hold it. In November last year PDP and NC had buried their hatchet and were ready to hold the tricolor together but Governor Malik played a “master stroke” by dissolving the assembly and sent a clear message that shortcuts have been closed.
The writer is member of JK Youth Alliance
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