Finally, J&K is all set to have its civilian government, chosen by its people through the democratic means called elections. All the speculations made earlier about a hung verdict, and the possibility ofa lingered uncertainty that could even result in the non-formation of government are now laid to rest. With NC getting a clear mandate, the people, particularly in the Kashmir region have finally spoken through their vote.
These elections may not give J&K a very powerful Assembly, as the changes in the rules of business have ensured that the civilian government is left with a very narrow room to assert its authority.
But politically, these elections and the results they threw up are more significant than anything else. The responsibilities of the civilian government in J&K are unusually enormous. The expectations of the people, in terms of giving them a sense of empowerment is too high. But more that that National Conference and Congress will be tested for their political wisdom. There are many fault-lines in the political landscape of J&K, and the two parties will have to deal those very sagaciously. The two parties will have to conduct very wisely the relationship of the J&K government with the central government.
Since the two are political adversaries in the actual electoral space, with Congress in direct contest with the BJP in the entire country, any needless confrontation may not be in the interest of the people of J&K. It is also to be seen how the two parties deal with a mandate that is split along a regional level. While the National Conference has swept the valley, the BJP has moe or less done the same thing in Jammu.
Since J&K is a unit in terms of governance and administration, any feeling of animosity at the level of people, even if only a perception, doesn’t augur well for J&K. It is to be seen as to how National Conference and the Congress make right political signals so that majority in one region doesn’t feel left out. Lastly, the shift from the Centre’s direct rule to the civilian government, one would expect, happens unproblematically. Now that the people have spoken, and they want a civilian government, they should get one. And that government should be allowed to work to solve the people’s problems.
