As the recently concluded assembly elections in the state of Jammu and Kashmir have given the state yet another hung assembly we sit down to talk a bit of politics being shown by those who are in politics. The elections were one hula bulla of an event with candidates fighting from 87 different constituencies. Though the voter count turned out to be a record 65% in the last 25 years it also has given the parties eager to form a stable government a pain in the head. The BJP which previously didn’t had a strong reach in the state, this time came out with 25 seats, second in the list with regional party PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) winning 28.
The problem for the BJP is that all its seats are from Jammu region and they have failed to open their account in Kashmir Valley or for that matter Ladakh. One positive for them is that their vote share is highest securing 23% votes. Their vote share in the valley stands at a poor 2.2 % which should be a matter of concern for them. The question here also rises that has BJP surge given the state a hung assembly? It is BJP that has seen a meteoric rise in the Jammu region which has left the PDP, the single largest party in serious ambiguity as to who to form the government with.
There are varied possible coalitions being thought of by each individual party but as of now a week has passed with no party coming to any conclusion. BJP trying to get their foot in the state is trying its best by talking to all the regional parties and also says that has the support of six independent legislators. At the meeting with the party’s winning candidates in Jammu, Arun Jaitely very clearly said that it is BJP that has the first right to form the government, obviously with the support of other parties.
The trouble is more for PDP. The single largest party is seeking all the options available and if insiders are to be believed, BJP is in favor of a PDP-BJP government, BJP already in serious talks with the party but the terms set before them by the PDP are the trouble for the BJP. No rotational CM, which means full six year term for PDP, revocation of AFSPA(Armed Forces Special Powers Act) from some areas, no debate on Article 370, which gives special privileges to the state and additional grant of funds for the recently hit flood victims.
Whatever the situation be the truth is people in Jammu & Kashmir have come to vote in large numbers this time around. The valley has rejected the chances of BJP forming a government in the valley while people from Jammu have come in full support of the Modi led party which is on an all time high riding on the Modi wave. But will it prove its mettle in forming a government in Jammu & Kashmir we shall come to know in a week’s time, till then both the parties are on their thin talks with ex CM, Omar Abdullah’s National conference and badly damaged at centre, Congress putting their support forward too.
Hope the thinkers think good and give us a bharose- mandh government.
