BJP decided to pull back its support to PDP government in J&K this afternoon, and that brings an end to the alliance which had been showing signs of cracks since last few months.

PDP & BJP had come together to form a government after the assembly elections in 2014, in which PDP had a mild lead over BJP by 3 seats. Mufti senior’s death in 2016, lead to Ms. Mehbooba mufti taking over as Chief minister of the state after a brief period of contemplation. But all was not well within the alliance.

Modi government bringing an end to Ramzan ceasefire in the valley was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

The sham called ceasefire:

It was on Ms Mehbooba Mufti’s insistence that Central government declared “unilateral” ceasefire during the holy month of Ramzan. Such magnanimity towards terrorists and separatists, who have left no stone unturned to bleed India, had left many perplexed.

Oft such ceasefire periods are used as opportunities by the terrorist outfits to regroup and replenish their resources. 18 years ago, when a four month long ceasefire was announced in the valley, terrorists had attacked Srinagar airport. By the time ceasefire had ended, many innocents had lost their lives.

This year Ms. Mufti had convinced Rajnath Singh, home minster of India, that ceasefire would be hailed by the populace as an effort to bring peace to the valley. Au contraire, when the data was collected and reported to the home minister, it was found that terrorist attacks in the valley had surged by 100% by the end of the holy month of Ramzan; 39 were killed and over 60 were injured in terrorist related incidents. Terrorists had attacked army camp of 50 RR and CRPF camp, while simultaneously killing innocents across the valley. Nothing that was promised was achieved; Ms Mufti’s promises to the central government were mere a mare’s nest.

At the end of holy month of Ramzan, BJP looked askance at PDP and its intentions behind suggesting ceasefire. Sources say, it is PDP’s misplaced priorities that finally caused BJP to take the tough stance. PDP, it seems wasn’t expecting a curve ball to be thrown at it.

Mehbooba Mufti’s misplaced priorities:

On the eve of Eid, wails echoed in the valley as terrorists brutally murdered Kashmiris disregarding the unilateral ceasefire by the Indian Army. Deeply hurt by the killings, Mehbooba Mufti spoke, and shed tears for her dear friend and reporter Shujaat Bukhari who was killed that day, but didn’t utter a word for Rifleman Aurangzeb who was tortured and killed for doing his duty of protecting Jammu and Kashmir from terrorists.

As the Chief Minsiter of state, as the protector of Kashmiris and Kashmiriyat (as she claims), should Mehbooba Mufti not have visited Aurangzeb’s family? Or have at-least offered condolences to Aurangzeb’s family on the electronic media?

 

A look at Ms Mufti’s twitter profile would give an inkling, as to on which side her loyalties lie; condolences paid to Shujaat Bukhari’s family, wishing Rahul Gandhi on his birthday, definitely figured as a priority to her. Bukhari, a man whom Ms Mufti calls her dear friend, was a man known for maintaining contacts with terrorists like Syed Salahuddin , and for being vociferous against Indian Army. He was also was party to the Track-II talks held in Dubai, with separatists to “work” upon the Kashmir issue.

Alas! She had no time for a man who fought terrorists till his last breath and looked in the eye of death with defiance, a man who is rightfully the hero of the valley- Rifleman Aurangzeb. Its five days since his death and Ms Mufti has been conspicuously silent on the soldier’s death.

This isn’t the first time when Mufti has shown a soft corner for terrorists and separatists. Not so long ago, she had declared that she would have saved Burhan Wani, who we all know was a rifle wielding jihadi, instigating violence in the valley and a poster boy for the terrorist outfits. Her support for the separatists is well known and she has no qualms in openly displaying it.

Mufti helped free the venom spewing Hurriyat leader, Syed Geelani, who had been under house arrest since 2010. This man who never spares an opportunity to raise pro-Pak slogans is nothing but an epitome of hypocrisy. His son in law, Shahid-Ul-Islam, had been taken under custody by NIA for funding terror in the valley. Despite this, Ms Mufti, unabashedly continues to support Geelani’s clan. Another such incident was when she hiked the pension of Geelani’s aide.

She made her intentions crystal clear by writing a letter to home secretary requesting attention be paid to a jail inmate, Syed Salahuddin’s son, Shahid Yousuf. This man was  arrested by NIA in a 2001 terror funding case when he had received money from his father, Syed Salahuddin, who now resides in Pakistan and heads terrorist outfit Hizbul Mujahideen. Ostensibly he was beaten to pulp while in Tihar jail

Terrorism apart, Mufti had been communalizing the valley as it happened during the Kathua rape and murder case of a minor. She was accused of spearheading the communal agenda, as the investigative agency which worked under her claimed that the crime was committed to drive a certain community away from Kashmir.

Ms Mufti had been watering down the efforts to bring peace to the valley or so it seemed from her actions.

What next for Kashmir?

Ideally when the constitutional machinery fails, President’s rule is imposed on the state under section 356 of the constitution. But in case of Jammu and Kashmir, failure of governmental function results in Governor’s rule, imposed by invoking Section 92 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir. It can be imposed in the state for a period of six months after the consent of President of India. In case the state machinery is not restored before the expiry of six month period then the provision of article 356 is extended to the state and President’s rule is imposed.

Governor’s rule has been imposed on J&K six times already, the last time it happened was in the year 2015, after the assembly election of December 2014 when no party or combination of parties could stake a claim to form the government in the state. Presently the governor of Jammu and Kashmir is NN Vohra, an IAS officer of Punjab cadre, who also happens to be the first civilian Governor of Jammu and Kashmir in 18 years after Jagmohan.

NN Vohra, Governor of J&K

As early as 2015, member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha, Subramanian Swamy, had been  supporting the idea of imposing President’s rule in J&K.

Governor’s rule would ensure that the operations carried out by the defence forces continue in full steam sans any hindrances. Under present circumstances this is the best option that the valley could ask for.