As curfew continues for the 55th day in Kashmir, the Centre said it does not want to intervene by imposing governor’s rule or changing the present governor, NN Vohra.
The BJP has decided to continue its alliance with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) despite the alarming situation in Kashmir. Curfew, restrictions and shutdown continues for the 55th day in Kashmir.
The Centre, however, does not want to intervene by imposing governor’s Rule in Jammu and Kashmir because that would mean removal of the only political interface between the security forces and the people.
No Other Option Than Vohra
The Centre is also not keen to replace the present governor, NN Vohra, as Vohra has experience and is aware about Kashmir.
The Centre said there was no other option than Vohra for the governor of Kashmir.
The mounting number of deaths and destruction left behind by nearly eight weeks of protests and clashes in Kashmir has given a serious blow to the political base of the ruling PDP in Kashmir.
South Kashmir- PDP’s Base – Worst Affected
The worst affected south Kashmir districts of Anathnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam – the political base of the PDP – have turned into the party’s waterloo.
As many as 72 people have died and over 11,000 have been injured in protests and demonstrations. And most of these casualties in the deadliest uprising Valley has seen in six years, are from south Kashmir.
Also Read: Teenager killed in fresh Kashmir violence, toll touches 72
In fact, the protests started from south Kashmir only after the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani in Anathnag district.
While violence and public demonstrations have been widespread in Kashmir after Wani’s death, the magnitude of anger and protests has been massive in this PDP base.
Out of the 28 seats the PDP won in the 2014 elections, most were from south Kashmir.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and her late father Mufti Muhammad Sayeed themselves belong to the town of Vejbuer in Anantnag. In fact, Mehbooba has won all her elections from south Kashmir itself.
However, the space in south Kashmir seems to have shrunk – not only for Mehbooba and her PDP colleagues, but also for all pro-India politicians.
PDP’s Base Weakening, Politicians Move From South Kashmir
At least 12 houses of PDP leaders were attacked mainly in south Kashmir by protesters, including the latest incident of Kulgam where protesters put on fire one part of the house of PDP Rajya Sabha member Nazir Ahmad Laway on Wednesday evening.
Also Read: Kashmir unrest: PDP MLA’s house set ablaze, Omar says things have taken an ugly turn
None of the PDP or opposition National Conference (NC) lawmakers have been able to hold a single public meeting since the protests started.
In fact, none of these political representatives is reportedly living in their homes in these constituencies at present. They have shifted to the safety of their government accommodation in Srinagar or Jammu.
Except for an odd political statement, all pro-India politicians are conspicuous by their absence from the constituencies.
Anger against the PDP is palpable because the party is in power and the people blame it for their sufferings.
Known for her soft posturing towards the resistance camp and the Jammat-e-Islami in the past, Mehbooba is now taking them head-on.
The Chief Minister has blamed them for pushing innocent youths into stone pelting while warning them that violence would yield no positive result except bring more misery for the common man.
Under these circumstances, the PDP is battling anger from the very people who voted it in as an alternative to the NC.
An all-party delegation headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh will be visiting Srinagar on Sunday. It will be interesting to see if not separatists, then will the civil society and different trade and tourism associations meet them.
