The collapse of the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition Government has created an existential crisis for the two-decade old People’s Democratic Party (PDP) founded by Mufti Muhammad Sayeed as an alternative to the National Conference and the Congress besides a buffer between separatists and unionists in the embattled State.

The PDP gained its best-ever tally in 2014 Assembly elections to emerge as the single largest party, but the verdict in Jammu region was in favour of the BJP. The PDP had campaigned to keep the BJP out of power but eventually the hung verdict compelled it to align with the nationalist party.

Mufti Muhammad Sayeed had termed the alliance as an opportunity to bridge the gap between distinct topographical regions of the State. He described Narendra Modi as toofan ka aadmi (tempestuous person) and expected overwhelming support from the Centre to the State Government to bring about groundbreaking changes. However, he died a dejected person in January 2016, a few weeks after Modi’s public snub that he did not require advices from anyone on Kashmir. Mufti had dared to tell Modi that Kashmir required political initiatives and dialogue with Pakistan.

After Mufti’s demise, his daughter initially showed reluctance to step into her father’s shoes and sought assurances from the Centre that issues concerning Kashmir would be addressed on priority. There was no public assurance but she eventually fell in line and took over as Chief Minister in April 2016. This reduced her image as a weakling who acquiesced for the sake of power. After 22 months in chair, she had to make unceremonious exit. During this period, a bloody campaign to quell a massive public uprising following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani was centred in PDP’s pocket borough of south Kashmir.

“Mehbooba started her political career by speaking against atrocities and identifying herself with the victims of State terror but during her latest tenure she justified the killings. She infamously questioned whether the (slain) boys had gone to get candies from Army camps (when they were killed),” said Tariq Ahmad, a resident of south Kashmir’s Bijbehara. This volte face for the sake of power buried PDP’s appeal, he said.

Observers say that Mehbooba had lesser clout and exposure in New Delhi as compared to her father. “She could not prove to be assertive and effective and this was one of the reasons for her unceremonious exit,” said an observer. “Ideally, she should have been able to complete her term in a relatively peaceful atmosphere and gain the lost ground with uptick in developmental activities,” he said.

Now, it cannot be predicted as to when the Assembly elections would be held in J&K. Presently, the situation is not conducive to test the prospects of pro-India parties.

Mehbooba sought to revive her party’s politics on the day she lost power. In her presser soon after, she sought to convey her insistence on dialogue with separatists and Pakistan did not go down well with the BJP. She declared that her party would continue to campaign for the rights of people of J&K.

Observers say that the emerging situation on law and order and security fronts during the upcoming months of Central Rule would decide the possibility of political activity on the ground. Interestingly, a section of PDP leaders expect this period not to be better than the PDP’s rule. “Those who have been criticising us these years will finally realise our essence with the time,” Waheed Parra, youth PDP leader tweeted.

“I agree the PDP suffered a great deal during its alliance with the BJP. This does not mean that the party is doomed. It has the inherent capacity to resurrect and there is lot of political space available,” said a senior PDP leader, wishing not be identified.

Courtesy: The Pioneer, Friday, 22 June 2018 | Khursheed Wani | Srinagar