After a gap of nearly six years and four months, the Ministry of Home Affairs revoked President’s Rule In Jammu and Kashmir on October 13, clearing the decks for the foundation of the Omar Abdullah-led alliance government, which won the recent elections to the J&K Assembly. Subsequently Omar Abdullah was sworn in on October 16 as the first chief minister of the union territory of J&K.
Considering the socio-political and economic uncertainties, there are enormous challenges to the newly formed Omar Abdullah led government. With the establishment of the elected government, the voices for the restoration of statehood are growing louder, which was also on top of the election manifesto of the National Conference.
Demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is a solemn commitment of the Narendra Modi led NDA government. The caveat of “appropriate time” has, however, irked many in and outside Jammu and Kashmir. Better synergy between the BJP government at the Centre and Omar Abdullah-led National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir may hopefully remove this caveat.
Hypothetically, the restoration of statehood is not that big a challenge, owing to the commitment made by the Modi government on the floor of Parliament more than once, besides the apex court’s observation asking for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
However, one has to be mindful of the polarised political nuances and the chequered history between BJP and National Conference. This is a challenge particularly under the given circumstances when there are two equal power centres, viz the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister. The friction between the two cannot be wished away, which could have an impact on the working relationship between the BJP government in the Centre and the Omar Abdullah government in Jammu and Kashmir.
That said, the challenges of unemployment, price rise, infrastructure, reservation, whopping electricity bills, drug menace etc. are far more encompassing than restoration of statehood. The situation warrants a serious governance sensitive of the issues confronting the people across the regions and ethnicities. It is hoped that Omar Abdullah has evolved and is serious in providing a government which the people of Jammu and Kashmir are aspiring for. People in both Jammu and Kashmir are expecting Omar to perform and provide a hassle free and corruption free administration.
Looking back at his first stint as Chief Minister from 2009-2014, Omar wasted those years in protocol, privileges and perks, and was surrounded by corrupt people in and outside his Cabinet. As Omar is older now, people expect him to be an evolved person who really cares for his people and respects the overwhelming mandate he has received from the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the just concluded elections.
