HVK Archives: Prodigal's return
Prodigal's return - The Times of India
Editorial
()
12 October 1996
Title : Prodigal's Return
Author : Editorial
Publication : The Times of India
Date : October 12, 1996
Dr Farooq Abdullah's landslide victory in the recent
Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections is reminiscent of
his illustrious father Sheikh Abdullah's equally impres-
sive showing in 1977. Both elections were largely free
and fair and based on the agenda of the state's autonomy
within the larger framework of the Indian Constitution.
Although the Sheikh's stature at that time far exceeded
that of his son now, even he failed to ensure against the
dilution of his agenda, which was further undermined
during Dr Farooq Abdullah's two tenures as chief min-
ister. He is remembered for having connived with the
Congress regime of Rajiv Gandhi in conducting a totally
farcical election in 1987. Several observers perceive
this short-sighted act as the immediate reason for the
azadi agitation launched in 1989. Ironically, it is the
ignominies suffered by the people during those seven long
years of virulent insurgency that made the return of Dr
Abdullah possible. Barely six months ago, Dr Abdullah,
still uncertain of his popularity, boycotted the Lok
Sabha elections in the state. But the moderate to high
voter turn-out during those elections persuaded him that
democratic traditions were still strong. After all, the
All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) championing azadi
was only popular in the urban areas of the valley. The
rural areas which had previously voted overwhelmingly for
his father on an electoral plank of agrarian reforms
still hankered for some semblance of democracy and this
is where the N.C.'s support is strongest.
Dr Abdullah's apology to the J&K electorate for his past
sins appears to have been accepted and his comeback is
seen by the people as the return of the prodigal. He
has, indeed, come a long way from a gadfly to a mature
politician. His appointing Mr Karan Singh chairman of
the autonomy committee and the induction of Mr Singh's
son, Mr Ajat Shatru, as a member of his cabinet are
politically astute moves aimed at integrating Jammu with
the valley. After all, Mr Ajat Shatru's entry into the
N.C. right before the elections was as responsible for
its success in Jammu as its alliance with the Bahujan
Samaj Party. In this respect, the N.C.'s electoral plank
of regional autonomy for Jammu, Ladakh and the valley
within J&K has also helped. Dr Abdullah's willingness to
initiate a dialogue with the APHC, and his proposal to
induct the surrendered militants into the army suggest
considerable political acumen. But he still faces major
challenges in restoring normality. A complicated task
will be to bring back the migrants. Many of them are
entrepreneurs, mainly engaged in carpet and handicraft
industries, and their absence has created a major drain
on the state's economy. The fact that they continued
running flourishing business outside the state all these
years makes their reintegration easier. This will hope-
fully reinvigorate the economy and serve to reverse
Kashmir's present status as the second least attractive
state to invest in.
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