2 Years On, PDP-BJP Alliance a story of unkept promises
Agenda of Alliance, which laid roadmap for the coalition, is today a document of unfulfilled assurances
On March 1, 2015, when the BJP first came to power in Jammu and Kashmir riding on the shoulders of the ideologically poles apart Peoples Democratic Party, the government could have fallen within one hour of its swearing-in. It has survived for two years, a marvel of political compromises that goes by the document called the “Agenda of Alliance”.
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on becoming the Chief Minister rattled the Hindu nationalist BJP leadership with his words: “The Assembly elections were successful because of the support of Pakistan, separatists and militants.” It sent a clear message that democracy and peace in Kashmir was heavily dependent upon Pakistan and elements supported by it in the Valley.
BJP general secretary Ram Madhav, who had stitched this alliance of political odds, was peeved no end. He called a newly sworn-in minister and told him quite bluntly that the BJP would not hesitate to shut this chapter of the government in the next one hour if there was any repeat of such pro-Pakistan statements by the new Chief Minister. Mufti’s statement was particularly embarrassing for the Prime Minister who had flown to Jammu to attend the swearing-in ceremony in a heartening message that the Centre was fully supportive of the North Pole-South Pole alliance in J&K.
In between, the PDP lost Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and his daughter Mehbooba Mufti struggled with the emotional trauma of the loss of her father. She took nearly three months to step into his shoes to become the first woman Chief Minister of the state in April last year. She faced the worst ever spell of street violence in 2016 – over 90 deaths, 200 others lost their eyesight completely or partially – and found herself alone in stabilising the situation. These were extraordinarily ugly times, which did not allow any progress to be made on the Agenda of Alliance.
There were some noticeable compromises for the BJP agreed to recognise the status quo of the special status of J&K, violating its own life-long commitment of doing away with Article 370. The party also promised dialogue with separatists. Economically, the Centre was to give a push to the state’s tourism, horticulture and power sectors. This was a much-needed boost that attracted the two parties to go in for what they called the “Alliance for Governance”.
Practically speaking, despite these high-decibel promises, which were intended to assure the people in Kashmir that the alliance would bring a flood of funds to accomplish the never-seen-before development and vast employment avenues, the ground and the governance is still barren. The military-civil relationship has broken, the government is viewed as something that exists in stratosphere. That is the story of the last two years – the Agenda of Alliance has been reduced to a bunch of papers.
The chequered path
Mar 1, 2015: Mufti Mohammad Sayeed takes oath as CM. Praises militants, Pak for creating conducive atmosphere for holding polls. Leaves BJP red-faced
Mar 9: Hurriyat hardliner Masarat Alam set free
Mar 12: Govt issues circular, making it mandatory for constitutional authorities to hoist the state flag on official cars and buildings. The circular withdrawn the next day under BJP pressure
Apr 17: Govt rearrests Masarat Alam
Sept 11: The J&K High Court orders beef ban in the state, leading to polarisation in the two regions. Order finally vacated by the HC on October 16
Nov 7: PM Narendra Modi announces Rs 80,000-cr development package during a rally in Srinagar.
Jan 7, 2016: Mufti Sayeed dies in AIIMS, Delhi
Jan 9: Governor’s rule imposed
Feb 20-22: Three elite para commandos, including two captains, three militants, two CRPF men and a civilian killed in Pampore gunfight
Apr 4: Mehbooba takes over as CM
Apr 7: Controversy erupts at National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, over Indian vs West Indies T-20 match
Apr 12: Four killed in Handwara during protests against alleged molestation of girl by Army men
May: Controversy erupts in Kashmir over setting up of Pandit, Sainik colonies
June 25: Militants ambush CRPF convoy at Pampore. Eight security personnel killed, 22 personnel injured
July 9: Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani killed in a gunfight in Anantnag district along with his two associates. In the five-month unrest that followed, over 90 persons were killed
July 21: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti chairs an all-party meeting in Srinagar
Aug 8: Three BSF men and a militant killed in BAT action close to the LoC
Aug 15: CRPF Commandant, policeman and two militants killed in Srinagar gunfight
Sept 3: Mehbooba writes to separatists leaders, invites them for talks with all-party delegation
Sept 4: Separatist leaders refuse to meet the all-party delegation
Sept 15: The founding member of the PDP Tariq Karra resigns from the party and as MP
Sept 18: Militants storm an Army base in Uri close to the LoC, killing 19 soldiers and wounding 23 others
Sept 29: Army carries out surgical strike along the LoC in PoK
Nov 22: Three soldiers killed in Machil, Kupwara. The body of one of them found mutilated
Nov 29: Seven soldiers, including two Majors, killed in militant attack on Army camp in Nagrota
Jan 7, 2017: Tassaduq Mufti, the only son of late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, joins PDP
Jan 31: In the Assembly, Mehbooba says those working to scrap Article 370 will be doing a big “anti-national” act
Feb 1: Assembly adjourned sine die following pandemonium
Feb 14: Three soldier and a top Pak militant commander of the LeT killed and a dozen, including two officers, injured in Bandipora gunfight
Feb 14: A Major and three LeT militants killed in Handwara
Feb 17: Altaf Bukhari inducted into the Cabinet, triggering resignation of two PDP ministers Basharat Bukhari and Imran Ansari
Feb 20: Basharat Bukhari joins new ministry
Feb 23: Three Army jawans killed and five others, including two officers, injured in a militant attack in Shopian
