Third Front Rising: Kashmir's breath of fresh air
Almost two months into the parting of ways between the BJP-PDP coalition which formed the Jammu and Kashmir government, there is still no sign of the situation taking an imminent turn towards government formation, whether through fresh elections or other means. While the previous government was resented due to displays of flagrant nepotism, gross mis-governance and corruption — a fact made evident by the wide-spread jubilation on the ground through fire crackers and distribution of sweets across the state after its dismissal — there needs to be immediate redress to the looming uncertainty in the region.
Not just because generally a democratic system needs to resume, but also because this is a strategically important border state, already in the grip of violence and conflict.
However, as ironic as it seems, since the dismissal of the previous government and the imposition of Governor's Rule, the state has actually seen an upswing in the situation, with lesser incidents of violence and disturbances. There is also a popular level of trust and confidence within the interim set up, something which may accrue from the personal charisma and credentials of the incumbent Governor himself.
Yet, the situation raises large question marks on the functioning of the previous government and its leadership.
At a crucial juncture today, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) needs a break — and a drastic one, from its prevalent structures and nature of governance, and the initiation of a new social contract and political construct. J&K needs the opportunity to throw up natural and able leaders well entrenched within the intricacies of its grassroots realities. It needs leadership that has made its own way up the hierarchy, slogged it out along with its people and realises that it is with these very people where its accountability lies. A leadership that has experienced the rigour of grassroots grooming — and is receptive to grassroots aspirations.
J&K being a unique state, gripped in conflict for the past three decades, also needs a leadership that can be its bridge to the centres of power that matter — the most important being New Delhi. It needs both the trust of its people and the confidence of national leadership to be able to deliver a workable, sustainable and win-win situation for all.
This however entails a internalisation that national interests remain paramount and that this critical role does not get reduced to manipulating certain “nuisance value” for selfish political stakes, against the larger interest of the people, as has been experienced in the past, adding to the further militarisation of the state.
Recently a lot of speculation has been built around a possible “third front” in J&K, possibly an amalgamation of disgruntled MLAs from various parties alienated by the diktat of familial coteries, focusing on familial corruption. The concept of internal democracy is unfortunately all too lost on political practitioners in Kashmir as elsewhere in South Asia.
A name that is constantly emerging as a possible figurehead of this “third front” is Sajad Lone, the maverick Chairman of People’s Conference, and a minister in the previous set up. He entered the 2014 election fray as a wild card, upsetting the otherwise calibrated electoral apple cart with his open, and at that time, very courageous meeting with Prime Minister Modi.
This meeting provided Sajad a level playing field in the face of the “establishment” weight and resources, both political and financial, behind the PDP. A tacit agreement with the BJP had already been worked out which was proven in the instant knee-jerk offer of government formation with the BJP immediately after the election results. It needed somebody with the courage and transparency of Sajad Lone to openly meet with PM Modi before elections — something lesser men could never attempt, as proven by the immediate post-election PDP-BJP stitch-up.
A mandate that was completely whipped up on the narrative of keeping the BJP out of power in Kashmir was brazenly abused by working out an expedient (for the PDP, of course) alliance with the very same BJP. There could never have been such a blatant and shameless betrayal. So, all the present clamour of “violation of people’s mandate” has no grounds as the violation was started by its so-called keepers itself.
But then, transparency and deliverance have never been the hallmark of any administration in Kashmir. Built on the edifice of patronage and “indispensability”, the “mechanisms of management” have outrun their course in Kashmir, in the process fattening a few surnames and their kith — yet weakening state institutions, the trust of the people and the credibility of New Delhi.
That’s exactly why this politics of entitlement needs to end.
There needs to be a more transparent, rigorous and accountable mechanism of politics, something which is truly representative of the people’s will.
One dynasty “created” to undermine the other will not, and evidently has not, worked.
The first entrant to gate-crash this “musical chairs” of a patronage-vested political horizon was Sajad Lone, hence the threat perception from the very start. The immediate instinct was to sideline, nay, belittle him right at the outset, and probably get rid of him too through a resignation, if possible.
But there were problems. For one, he was too independent-minded and academic to be pinned down by diktats which his heart has never agreed to. Also, soon he realised the constricted space of this genre of politics, where while a few purses expanded, there was no trickle down to the common people. He recalled his father’s words, “Politics can either be the biggest dacoity or the most sacred of Ibadah (Prayers)”. He chose the latter.
One could question his decisions but not his conviction.
He actually felt he'd be more empowered on this side, to be in a position to empower others. And that is what he attempted. A scrupulously honest minister, he toiled hard to reach where he is today — touted by Outlook as a “threat to the Mufti’s and Abdullahs”. Transparency and deliverance have been key components of his political playbook. Despite having had a revered father, he had to carve his political path from scratch. He slogged it out on his own, braved hard times — money-less, powerless, hopeless. One thing that kept him going were his people, their support and their belief in him. Something that continues to be the pillar of his drive.
Conveniently painted as part of the “dynastic” bandwagon by a few, an important distinction is that he was not “crowned” “heir apparent” but had to earn his positions. A case in point being the fact that his sister had to face defeat in an electoral attempt from Kupwara in 2008. Were it just the surname, she would’ve won the seat. While criticised for much, there is no denying Sajad Lone’s capability, lack of hypocrisy and the will and hunger to want to deliver — attributes not many on Kashmir’s political horizon can boast.
Meanwhile, on a backfoot by the unexpected turn of events, the PDP is just about recovering from the initial shock of its separation. From trying to open desperate channels of communication with its old allies in New Delhi, to public displays of political signalling such as abstaining from elections for the deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha, it is trying every trick in town to woo back its old partner. It is also taking recourse to confusion and mis-information through planted stories and rumours — desperate last SOS’s of a sinking ship.
Let’s hope there are better tidings in store for J&K. In these critical times, it needs sage, upfront and courageous leadership. Somebody having both the ability and the will to deliver.
A breath of fresh air — not the tried, tested, failed and stale old wine.