Hakeem Irfan Rashid    

Taking Initiative Holding panchayat elections could be the first task after the Amarnath Yatra: A senior MLA

The Centre is likely to wait for conclusion of the Amarnath Yatra next month before taking any initiative for forming an alternate government in J&K, where People’s Conference’s Sajad Lone is emerging as an important leader around whom a new front could be stitched.

Though New Delhi is quietly watching political scenes unfolding in Srinagar now, there could be startling rapidity in sequence of events after the Amarnath Yatra.

“Holding panchayat elections could be the first task after the yatra. Response to the it under governor’s rule could guide the Centre’s reflexes on whether fresh elections should be held or options be explored for a new government in the current assembly,” a senior MLA told ET.

With speculation over a ‘Lone-BJP front’ gaining momentum, leaders of PDP, NC and even Congress are making efforts to avoid poaching. His party has just 2 MLAs and the prospects of Lone leading a front have irritated NC, which has 15 MLAs, and PDP, which has 28 MLAs, although dissident MLAs have attacked the Abdullahs and Muftis for turning politics into a ‘family fiefdom.’ As per a political insider, Lone has the support of at least 15 MLAs and is striving to expand his influence. He is also preparing to fight elections in case Vohra dissolves the assembly. In such a scenario, he will go to the people with a rebranded party that will have state-wide presence and not be confined to Kupwara/Handwara.

To scuttle Lone’s emergence as a new political power in the Valley, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti held a string of meetings with MLAs at her Srinagar residence, trying to warn them about the deceptive lure of greener pastures. Five of her MLAs have rebelled openly and many more are reportedly waiting to announce their allegiance to Lone.

NC’s Omar Abdullah, on the other hand, is consistently seeking dissolution of assembly. The parties see poaching of MLAs a possibility despite the stringent anti-defection law. State BJP leaders maintain that they don’t favour dissolution of the assembly, but are not averse to another ministry. The party has 25 MLAs in the 87-member assembly. Interestingly, Speaker Nirmal Singh, whose role assumes significance in case of defections, met BJP general secretary Ram Madhav in New Delhi on Wednesday and is likely to meet PM Modi too. This has given credence to the formation of a new front in which Lone and BJP would be prominent members. Lone has met BJP leaders in Srinagar and New Delhi a few times recently.

HakeemIrfan.Rashid@timesgroup.com

Courtesy: Economic Times: 12072018