Binoo Joshi
BJP, once claiming it to be a party with a difference , has become an enigma for the people of Jammu and Kashmir . It has been observed that it stands for nothing in its almost two year-rule in the state, where it had promised maximum development and restoration of peace .
The party’s point man and architect of BJP- PDP alliance Ram Madhav had declared that this alliance was for development not a political alliance . He had sought to distinguish party’s political compulsions of entering into an alliance with PDP, a Kashmir-centric and Muslim party opposed to any suggestion of tampering with the special status of the state , from the development needs of the state.
But the thrust on political convergences on various issues, like opening talks with Hurriyat Conference, Pakistan and maintenance of the status quo of the current position of J&K as special status state made alliance’s political elements too visible to be ignored. Late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed , the founder of PDP, had rubbished the development alone agenda. “ The Agenda of Alliance is self-speaking,” he had stated.
A brief summary of the events in the nearly past two years reveals that BJP raked up so many issues and backtracked . It finds itself in a corner when it comes to peace in Jammu and Kashmir. It called Burhan Wani a “ terrorist” and the flare up in situation in Kashmir as “ Pakistan’s doing”, still the Kashmir is closed for 120th day. It claims to be having a million- strong membership but has run away in fear from the Valley. Its ministers and legislators are rarely visible in the Valley.
Following its failure to address the regional aspirations of Jammu, its own legislators , Ashok Khajuria and Romesh Arora have started asking questions about its performance and not hesitated in demanding that the “ BJP should come out of the government.”
In Leh, the party had promised that it would grant the Union Territory status to the Buddhist dominated region. It won parliamentary and Leh Hill Council polls on this promise. Now it says that it is not possible .
“ Well we have four more years to go, we will do everything during this period,” Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh is tirelessly selling this theme . However, what has been done in the past two years is not mentioned.
The Valley sees in it a repulsive political party and the party has no answers to the questions of people of Jammu, who gave them 25 seats in the 2014 Assembly elections . They have not only let down the people of J&K but also Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is quite unhappy the way the party in ruling alliance with PDP has subverted his plans of peace and prosperity in the state.
