Modi Finds Unlikely Fans In J&K’s PDP, Separatists

JAMMU: This may appear counter-intuitive, but PDP — the main opposition party in Jammu & Kashmir — as well as Hurriyat and separatist leaders believe that BJP’s “anti-Muslim” prime ministerial nominee, Narendra Modi, is the best bet for Muslim-dominated Kashmir in the hope he can address both the internal and external dimensions of the region’s problem.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of the Hurriyat’s moderate faction, was emphatic, saying BJP had a clear stand on Kashmir and has the “capacity” and political will to solve the problem. The Mirwaiz said a decade of Congress rule at the Centre reversed the work done by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government to resolve the conflict.

“There was a forward movement on Kashmir during Vajpayee’s tenure as PM. He declared Kashmir a humanitarian issue which should be addressed within the ambit of humanity,” the Mirwaiz said.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said, “A section of Kashmiris believe Modi can take some tough decisions on the Kashmir issue... (they believe) he may emulate Vajpayee who took some bold steps to infuse in the people hope of a final settlement of the Kashmir issue.” However, she ruled out alliance with BJP in the state or even in New Delhi.

Other separatist groups and several political analysts in J&K are also wishing for an NDA victory to take the process of a Kashmir solution forward. Prominent separatist Nayeem Khan said a BJP-led government would address Kashmir with its external and internal dimensions. “It was Vajpayee who looked for a Kashmir settlement with Pakistan. The people of J&K have great respect for his statesmanship and for the initiatives he took for the settlement of the Kashmir issue,” Khan said.

However, Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who opposes any dialogue with New Delhi over Kashmir, thinks only the external dimension of the issue can settle the Kashmir imbroglio. He expressed dismay over Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s lack of progress in dialogue with Pakistan.

The Kashmiri aam admi doesn’t seem to share Geelani’s view. They feel a BJP-led government can bring peace and prosperity. “The complex Kashmir issue can neither be solved by parties in Kashmir valley nor by the announcement of frequent bandhs and strikes, but by talks with stakeholders including Kashmiris. But overall, the confidence building measures that got diluted under the UPA need to be revived,” said Mohammad Sidiq Bangroo, a political analyst in Srinagar.

Mohammad Yousuf Mir, a taxi driver whose top concern is peace so that tourists flock in large numbers to the Valley, said, “Modi is said to be communal but he would bring peace in Kashmir as the Valley is important for the integrity of India. Modi would try to bring Kashmiris around by announcing more concessions for a permanent settlement.”

The perception in Jammu is similar. Most Jammu residents believe Modi will try to appease Kashmiris but wouldn’t allow “any nonsense” by the Kashmir-centric parties vis-a-vis their stand on the Kashmir issue. “Modi won’t allow the regional parties to do doublespeak, which they generally do. They say one thing in Delhi and another in J&K for votes in the Valley,” said Madan Lal Gupta of Jammu.