LG's Advisory Council – No Way!

Stakeholders clear the haze over proxy political process in J&K

GillJS

Jammu Tawi, May 26: A sudden swirl of political developments as reported in social media regarding formation of an ‘Advisory Council led by Apni Party Chief Mr. Altaf Bukhari,' amid lockdown has warmed up the subdued political atmosphere in J&K and shifted the focus to Delhi.

A common argument that New Delhi is propping up Altaf Bukhari to emerge as a political alternative viz a viz the traditional political parties like National Conference, PDP or few other fringe parties in the valley is no public secret.

Since the formation of Apni Party, it is common knowledge that the Centre may make political investment in ambitious Altaf Bukhari, an astute corporate guy with a noted track-record of political manoeuvring and craft in Kashmir Politics.

Political observers sensed the signal thrown by the BJP point-man on Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Ram Madhav, when he wrote an article in Indian Express few days back suggesting the imminent political process to begin in Jammu and Kashmir. This indication of course was following from a secret meeting Mr. Bukhari had with Madhav at Gulmarg few months back.

It is not so easy to have such a tight rope walk for both Centre and Kashmir-based parties to re-start a political process, without securing good political bargain for facing people after they lost special status, a senior Apni Party leader and a former minister told this reporter on the condition of anonymity.

“This could also be an attempt in all probability of testing the waters in Jammu Kashmir by the Central Government”, sources said.

On the grapevine that Omar Abdullah, the NC Vice President and a former Chief Minister, after the news of Advisory Council broke, rushed to Delhi for some balancing act, denied there were any political reasons for his current visit to Delhi. ‘Finally, I'm in Delhi for the 1st time since 3rd August 2019. There is nothing political about my visit…. I needed a change of scene & some medical follow-ups & that's why I'm here (sic), he tweeted.

Irfan Naqeeb, the Srinagar District President of Apni Party told Northlines that he was not in a position to comment on these speculative news going round, however, said, “In the current political vacuum, Bukhari is sure to play a significant role.”

Meanwhile, putting all speculations to rest, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday said there is no question of formation of any Advisory Council or similar arrangement in Jammu & Kashmir, BJP's general secretary (Org) for J&K, Ashok Koul told. The remarks by the BJP's top leader has put a lid on the rumours that Apni Party could be given a role in decision- making  in Jammu & Kashmir before Assembly elections are held.

Sources in J&K government told that there is no question of any politician being given a direct role in governance matters of Jammu and Kashmir.

“How can Centre arbitrarily select a few politicians and appoint them as Chief Minister or cabinet ministers or advisors? It is childish to talk about such arrangement,” they said, adding that CM and Cabinet ministers are elected through elections.

They said that there is no provision for interim arrangement under the Jammu and Kashmir Re- Organisation Act- 2019.  “The interim arrangement did exist in J&K and India before enactment of their constitutions. But that is not possible now in J&K under the J&K Re-Organisation Act.

It clearly states that elections would be held after every 5 years in J&K for choosing elected government,” they said, adding that Union Territories Act, which is not applicable to J&K, even does not talk about any such arrangement.

Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party Senior leader and a former minister, Ghulam Hassan Mir today said they have not been officially informed about any Advisory Council formation.
Terming it as speculation of JKAP leaders nominated for advisory council here by GOI, Mir told these are just rumours.
“Reality is that we have no information about this, this is just a rumour. How GOI wants to run affairs here, we cannot say anything about that. No one has given us any offer and whenever such offer is made, party will take a decision.”

But this move if made could be a double whammy. “The Apni Party has been facing a credibility crisis since its origin. And now, if Bukhari gets propped up as a key player in advisory council, the Apni Party will certainly have a BJP tag. The move, however, will create a buffer between Centre and the people of the Valley, who feel alienated since the abrogation of Article 370,” a political observer commented.