Rahul Gandhi’s J & K Visit

Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing change in the political temperature as the political parties are gearing up to oil their electoral machinery and put their best efforts to put their agendas before the public. Those who have witnessed the political climate of Jammu and Kashmir prior to the emergence of terrorism and ethno-religious conflict in 1989-1990 know about the colourful spectacle on the streets of both Jammu and Kashmir in which many political stalwarts enchanted the masses with their charisma and agenda.It seems that after the declaration of the poll dates the newly created union territory will witness an interesting contest between the political adversaries. It is in this context that the visits of various national leaders must be seen.Health of electoral democracy depends on free and liberal political discourse that embraces all ideologies and leads to an inclusive public opinion.After Ram Madhav was appointed as the election in charge for the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir with G Krishen Reddy; Congress Party has geared up and started its political movement in Jammu and Kashmir by meeting its cadres and supporters.It has been started with the Jammu and Kashmir visit of the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Malikarjun Kharge.They have met the National Conference President Dr.Farooq Abdullah and its leader Omar Abdullah in Kashmir.They agreed on fighting Assembly Elections together.Congress President sad that INDIA bloc will fight together as it did during the Lok Sabha Elections posing a challenge to the BJP led NDA.Rahul Gandhi has tried to strike the emotional chord with people of Kashmir by emphasising his “blood relations” with Kashmiris.He has stressed the need for love and harmony and thereby rejecting hatred.His statements during the visit to Jammu and Kashmir have made it abundantly clear that the Congress Party will strive to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir.He has also said that his party had expected that statehood to Jammu and Kashmir will be restored before the announcement of the Assembly Elections.But seemed to be satisfied that elections have been decalred.Only time will tell what will be the take of the Congress Party on the special status of Jammu and Kashmir that it enjoyed prior to the neutralisation of Article 370 and 35 A.Though the Congress President has said that his party will focus on the issues of water ,forests and land of the people in Jammu and Kashmir.If one goes down the memory lane,Kashmir has witnessed the Rajiv Gandhi- Farooq Abdullah alliance prior to 1990 in 1980’s.This alliance was projected as the continuation of the generational relations between the Congress and National Conference after the Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru – Sheikh Abdullah bonhomie that developed well before the partition of India and continued even after the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India.Though there was a bitter period between the two as well when Sheikh Abdullah was incarcerated by the Nehru Government on Kashmir conspiracy issue.Then there was the period that witnessed the emergence of Indira Gandhi who tamed the Lion of Kashmir and is known to have said that “clock cannot be turned back” with respect to the special powers given to Jammu and Kashmir.Now it has to be seen as to how the new generation of Gandhi’s and Abdullah’s will shape the new relation in the altered political scenario of Jammu and Kashmir.One thing has to be borne in mind that neither is there Indira Gandhi in the Congress Party who can impose her iron will to tame the local popular leaders nor is there a unilateral political turf in Jammu and Kashmir where only one party can boast of forming the next government. The coming days are going to be interesting. As many political developments will unfold and these events will certainly shape the future of Jammu and Kashmir for the times to come.