Unity demonstrated in Gupkar Declaration falling apart
By Dr. Gyan Pathak
Political transition in Jammu & Kashmir now has a new twist. With Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) declaring to go solo in the next Vidhan Sabha Election whenever it would be held, the unity demonstrated by the political parties of the state has started falling apart, the indication of which has been emanating for the last few months. Though it is not a surprise for the people who are privy to the politics of the state, the beginning of the crumbling down of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) so soon is certainly a surprise providing an opportunity for great delight to BJP and its supporters.
The BJP has always wanted to do away with the Article 370 and 35 A of the Constitution of India and when the Narendra Modi government at the Centre had been moving large number of armed forces into Jammu & Kashmir during last week of July and first week of August 2019, the political parties of Jammu & Kashmir sensed something extraordinary to happen. Therefore, they assembled at the residence of National Conference leader Farooq Abdulla at Gupkar, and made a declaration on August 4, 2019 that is now known as Gupkar Declaration.
The political parties of the state resolved to defend “identity, autonomy, and special status of Jammu & Kashmir” provided under Article 370 of the Constitution of India and the Article 35 A which empowered the Jammu and Kashmir state's legislature to define “permanent residents” of the state and provide special rights and privileges to them.
Seventeen leaders across the political parties with Farooq Abdullah in chair unanimously had resolved:
1. That all the parties would be united in their resolve to protect and defend the identity, autonomy and special status of J&K against all attacks and onslaughts whatsoever.
2. That modification, abrogation of Articles 35A, 370, unconstitutional delimitation or trifurcation of the State would be an aggression against the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
3. That the parties participating in the meeting resolved to seek audience with the President and Prime Minister of India and the leaders of other political parties to apprise them of the current situation and make an appeal to them to safeguard the legitimate interests of the people of the State with regard to the guarantees given to the State by the Constitution of our country.
However, only a day after on August 5, 2019, Modi government got the Article 370 and 35 A abrogated in the Parliament of India, the statehood of Jammu & Kashmir was withdrawn, bifurcated into two Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, the leaders of the political parties were arrested, internet shut down, a large number of armed forces deployed, and people's movement disrupted. Opinion was divided – some said the action and the manner in which it was done was immoral, unethical, unwise, and unjustified, while the majority of non-Kashmiri Indians hailed the action as bold and historic. Kashmiris termed the fateful event as ‘black day'.
One year later on August 22, 2020, seven political parties National Conference, People's Democratic Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Jammu & Kashmir People's Conference, Awami National Conference, Indian National Congress, and Jammu & Kashmir People's Movement announced the Second Gupkar Declaration, which re-asserted the resolution passed on August 4, 2019. However, on November 17, 2020, Congress denied their involvement with PAGD. On January 19, 2021, People's Conference also announced its exit for the alliance, while People's Movement left it on July 4, 2022. Presently, there are only four political parties left in the PAGD which are NC, PDP, CPI(M), and Awami National Conference.
The contour of politics in the Union Territory Jammu & Kashmir started changing further with declaration of fresh delimitation of the assembly constituencies by the end of 2021. The Delimitation Commission set December 31 as the last day for submitting objections on its proposals. Political activities began after a long gap since August 2019. The National Conference declared participation in the delimitation exercise, which was severely criticized by one of the estranged constituents People's Conference alleging U-turn.
A new controversy has emerged recently after the order of the Jammu & Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer that intends to allow registration of all non-local people residing in the Union Territory as voters. In all, over 25 lakhs voters are expected to be added to the electoral roll of the state, which would also include a large number of non-locals. The political parties of the state have slammed the extension of voting rights to non-local which they fear would alter the political prospects of the people of the state. They allege that the BJP is trying to capture the power in the state by importing voters from outside the state.
Now the National Conference, which joined hands with arch-rival Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to set up the alliance, has said it will contest the next assembly elections on its own. It denounced “unfair treatment” which it claims the party has been subjected to in the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD). It also demanded “immediate course correction” from PAGD constituents, alleging that some constituent of the Gupkar alliance has made statements and speeches against the NC which doesn't contribute to the overall unity of the alliance.
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has twitted to convey people that only way to protect J&K's identity is to first register and cast your vote in huge numbers. He also said that provincial committee members unanimously resolved that JKNC should prepare and fight all 90 seats.
The PDP has responded to the National Conference statement saying, “PAGD was conceived for a much larger cause than just an electoral alliance. If some constituent of the Alliance has reservations for any kind of electoral alliance, that will not impact our unity for the larger goal.” (IPA Service)
