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| PAGD: Start of new political contest | | | Dr. Satwant Singh Rissam
In a democracy, citizens decide who will represent them in parliament/assembly and later work for them in shape of the government. This happens after conduct of free and fair electoral contest among political parties as no democracy can shine without these political parties. The 2014 parliamentary elections in the country brought change in the India political system with the absolute majority achieved by BJP. And this changed system later in year 2019 led to major political, social and geographical changes in Jammu and Kashmir. Ever since 2019, with fast changing developments every day became a new day for the political system of Jammu and Kashmir. Continuously after August 2019, we all have been seeing how several politicians/parties have faced plenty of instability in shape of desertions from party, arrest of leaders, new political party formations and much more which in one way or other unnerved many politicians.
It didn’t end with this all, the impact of changed political system in Jammu and Kashmir is continuing in 2020 also. The latest change happened when recently mainstream political parties like National Conference (NC), PDP, CPI, CPM, PC, JKPM & ANC formed the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD). The main motive behind formation of this alliance is to work towards restoring the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and to get back to the people all the rights they had before August 5, 2019. With this step taken, all other political organizations thought that these parties under PAGD would keep working jointly only in one direction. But an unimaginable development took place when PAGD declared that they would also jointly fight the upcoming district development council elections (DDC) in Jammu and Kashmir. The DDC polls are being held to complete the three-tier system of Panchayati Raj in Jammu and Kashmir. Infact DDC polls are being conducted for the first time and for this the BJP government in centre gets all the credit. It is most likely that BJP will get larger benefit of taking this step but they won’t be able to reap all the benefits now with formation of the PAGD. This united and significant announcement has changed the political dimensions totally for BJP in the upcoming DDC polls.
Although most people in Jammu are being told that PAGD is an example of ‘political opportunism’. However, capturing power through elections is the sole objective of every party and PAGD also appears on that path. It is too early to come to a conclusion vis-a-vis credibility of PAGD because they have earlier been one of the most important political organizations in politics of Jammu and Kashmir. Moreover, PAGD is drawing big attention and is also gaining new followers and members in this new Jammu and Kashmir.
The political success helps every party to influence prevailing social, political policies and in a way also helps to implement their political programs among the public. Hence, the clear reason of PAGD for participating in these polls. Besides NC, PDP, PC wouldn’t have repeated their mistake of boycotting panchayat and block development council elections which offered growth to opposition parties in many new areas across Jammu and Kashmir.
The formation of PAGD is start of a new political contest here. In addition to it, PAGD has become successful in gaining consensus among most of the political parties in Jammu and Kashmir against BJP.
Interestingly, PAGD contesting the DDC elections under chairmanship of NC patron Dr Farooq Abdullah would add positivity to the whole campaign because of acceptability of Dr Abdullah in Jammu region too.
Now onwards all parties in PAGD will remain politically relevant in Jammu and Kashmir after these polls. PAGD has already won the war of perception before these elections as they won’t lose their political space in Jammu region as happened due to earlier boycott. In the end, it’s a good sign for the democracy to survive and thrive as political parties aren’t missing the opportunity to fight the elections. |
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