Vivek Shukla
New Delhi: Even as turbulent Jammu and Kashmir is passing through a time when incidents of stone-pelting and violence becoming thing of the past, but the political fever of the state is really hot. The ruling alliance Congress created a storm as they are now demanding of rotation of Chief Ministership of the state. However, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah asserted that he would continue for a full six-term term in office under an agreement with ally Congress that has been "signed, sealed and delivered".
Seeking to dispel doubts about his continuance in the wake of demands from state Congressmen that there should be a rotation of chief ministership, he said "any discussion (on the issue) will only prolong uncertainty which is not in the interest of the state."
Omar recently told a News channel, "Left, Right and Centre" that there was absolutely no doubt in his mind that he would complete six years in office as chief minister. "You can't have two or three year term as chief ministers will tend to get populist towards the end of their (partial) term. Distribution of chief ministership....I don't understand the logic of rotation of chief ministership.
"In Mufti Mohammed Sayeed's time the Congress sacrificed for the alliance partner. How come you don't talk about rotational chief ministership in Maharashtra but only talk about it in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a matter that has been signed, sealed and delivered and any discussion (on it) would only prolong the uncertainty which is not in the interest of the state," he said.
Kashmir watchers say that notwithstanding the claims of young CM, Congress would ask for pound of flash in the state. It is not possible that that they would settle for junior partner for entire six years. During his recent visit to the state,Congress leader Dr. Karan Singh has openly talked about the rotation CM in the state. After making this demand,he also met Omam Abdullah and discussed the state of affairs of the state.
However,there are people in the state who feel that it would be unfair to blame the whole Congress party for some talk by people at the lower levels. Omar has the fullest of support from the Central government and Congress leaders, especially Sonia Gandhi, and others. However,it is a fact that Congress leaders of the state create lot roadblocks for him. They would continue to raise their demand. They would have the backing of top leaders of the party.
Meanwhile, the National Conference president and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy,Dr Farooq Abdullah came out openly in support of his son and dismiss all speculation of rotational chief ministership in the state and said Omar Abdullah would continue in the post for the Assembly’s six-year term. While Addressing a press meet, Dr Abdullah said that the NC-Congress coalition government is completing two years. He made it clear that he would not vacate his post for the Congress and would head the state government for six years.
Noted journalist from Kashmir A. Naqshbandi said that while National Conference might say that all was well between the two allies and there was no threat whatsoever to the government,this is far truth. “It is not possible that Congress allow to function Omar for six years. If the demand of Congress will not be met,it would ask for something else,” he feels.
Omar said: “After the 2008 Assembly elections and subsequent discussions between AICC president Sonia Gandhi and me in the capacity of the National Conference president, we were clear that neither of the two parties was interested in rotational chief ministership”.
“I was told that I would be the Chief Minister for the full term and the Congress high command is happy with my performance, which leaves no scope for any speculation,” he said. “The present government, including state Cabinet, is based on this premise and I request you (the media) not to lend credence to the remarks of any individual from the local unit of the Congress,” he added.
Even though NC leaders are claiming that all is well, Congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma has been keep on suggesting rotational chief ministership for smooth functioning of the coalition government. Meanwhile, it is now no secret that the two parties can not see each other over incorporating provisions of the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution of India in the J&K Panchayati Raj Act. After both parties fought tooth and nail, a committee had already been constituted and it was studying the provisions. All said and done, the issue of rotational CM in Jammu and Kashmir will continue to hog limelight there in future as well.