Voters’ Efforts Go In Vain; J&K Placed Under Governor’s Rule

Jammu and Kashmir has finally been placed under Governor’s rule as no party could garner the support of 44 MLAs even after more than a fortnight of the declaration of results. Outgoing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier refused to continue act as the caretaker chief minister.

Although talks between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were going on since the results were announced, but there was no breakthrough in sight. Perhaps PDP, which had emerged as the single largest party with 28 seats, and BJP, the second runner with 25 seats, couldn’t come into consensus as their manifestos had some stark differences.

What does this mean for the people of J&K? The hopes of people from the valley have taken another hit. First, they had to bear the brunt of the massive floods in September last year. Then there are the never-ending ceasefire violations by Pakistan, which have forced those living in the border villages to leave their abode and migrate to a considerably safer place. The Governor’s rule in the valley leaves the people of the state with nobody whom they can address their grievances to.

We hope that the political parties of the state realise the people’s plight and soon reach an agreement by chalking out a common minimum programme and provide the state a government of its own soon.

The imposition of Governor’s rule might turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the BJP, which has its government at the Centre, and it would be ruling the state indirectly from now on. The party has a golden opportunity to create goodwill for itself and win the hearts of the people through good governance.