KASHMIR SITUATION

Surendra Mohan on Farooq Abdullah Now on Good Wicket

Dr. Farooq Abdullah's grand return has come about in circumstances similar to those in 1983. The National Conference (NC) led by him had contested the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections held in that year without an alliance with the Congress, which was in New Delhi. The Janata Dal was contesting against it.

No hostility exists between the NC and the United Front as had existed between the former and the Congress (1) in 1983. Therefore, while in 1983-84 Dr. Abdullah was an enthusiastic participant in the conclaves of the non-Congress (1) chief ministers and opposition leaders and even hosted one of them in Srinagar, now it has been decided that the NC would join the UF.

It is significant that the coming together of the NC and the UF did not take place before the assembly elections. But if that had happened, the NC would have appealed to the people of the state as surrogates of the rulers in New Delhi. However, a long history of unfair elections and dismissals of chief ministers had made New Delhi quite unpopular, and close link with it could have reduced Dr. Abdullah's stature. The UF too would have been accused of trying to put its own favorite candidate as chief minister... Now that the NC has won on its own. strength, its credentials to represent the state and its people have acquired authenticity.

Dr. Abdullah has given an assurance that autonomy for each of the three regions of the state shall be realized within a year. He has also stressed the continuing role of the security forces. It remains to be seen, however, as to what are his proposals for the realization of autonomy for the state as a whole within the Indian Union. Earlier, he had asked for a pre-1953 status for the state. The agreements signed between Sheikh Abdullah and Jawaharlal Nehru in 1952, and between the former and Indira Gandhi in 1975 had affirmed that, in respect of a number of subjects, laws passed by Parliament would be applicable in the state only after the Assembly has ratified them. In the 1975 agreement, it was said that the state assembly could review the laws passed by Parliament after 1953 in respect of their applicability to the state.

However, during 1975-1984 and 1987-1989, when the NC was in power in the state, the state assembly did not undertake any such exercise. Now it may wish to do so; for, Parliament has enacted several laws during the past 14 years which are draconian. But, extension of jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, the Election Commission and the Comptroller and Auditor General could be retained. Dr. Abdullah (has spoken of) a formula appropriate for 1996...

The UF Government's commitment to federalism should facilitate the rebuilding of confidence between the state and the Centre. The key to further strengthening of the peace process is good governance which promotes people's welfare. Employment generation has to be the top priority, considering that recruitment to government services has remained frozen for years, developmental activities have come to a standstill and tourism has sharply declined.

Pakistan's Moves

Moreover, the success that the Pakistan-supported Taliban has secured in Afghanistan... could.. embolden it to pursue infiltration in J&K with greater vigor. In this context, Dr. Abdullah's emphasis on the continuing role of the armed forces is quite apt. He has committed himself to discussions with groups like the All Party Hurriyat Conference. But India should also persist in Jammu & proposing dialogue with Pakistan on Kashmir.

(Source: The Tines of India, 9 October, 1996)

JD: Views of V.P. Singh

It is not Farooq who's on test, it is all of us. One has to sock Farooq's participation (shirkat), in the governance of India, along with our shirkat in the governance of Kashmir.Farooq (should) build a bridge between India and Pakistan.

(Source: The Pioneer, 14 October, 1996)

A.R. Wig

On Election in J&K

A close scrutiny of the results of (the elections held) in the wake of threats by militants and boycott call by the Hurriyat... revealed a four per cent increase in the voters turn-out and a decline of 1.85 per cent in the invalid votes over the May Parliamentary elections. The electorate too had shown 6.50 per cent increase over the Parliamentary elections..... (Source: The Hindustan Times, 9 October, 1996)

Final Results

Allies of NC                Joined NC