The writing on the wall in Jammu and Kashmir reads Governor’s Rule
matters of national debate on Kashmir - how the law should treat stone-pelting protesters; how to respond to the issue of beef politics and the murderous mobs that have claimed the lives of innocent Muslims; whether to talk to separatists or be tougher, whether to release political prisoners, the role of the army and paramilitary in the Valley and most recently how to intercede in the dangerous video versus video battle that has erupted in the state. Mehbooba would once visit the children of slain militants insisting that the price of conflict should not be borne by kids. Today the BJP’s Twitter base would call her a seditious traitor if she did.
The PDP’s claim that only 5% of the population was protesting has been challenged by the most dismal voter turn-out in Srinagar; just 2% on the day of re-polling. With mainstream politics getting marginalised the stakes are too high; the Valley can no longer afford an experiment with the contradictions of governance. The Election Commission made a misjudgment by insisting on bypolls despite clear opposition from the Union home secretary in writing. Fresh elections are not an option in this circumstance; Governor’s Rule is the writing on the wall. neerselvam and Edappadi K Palaniswami were just part of the scenery, bowing before Jayalalithaa in subservience like every other functionary. In an open display of servitude, it was Panneerselvam who touched the wheels of Jayalalithaa SUV, besides looking up at her helicopter with folded hands in reverence. So, if they had become CMs by circumstances of fate, they cannot be expected to turn leaders overnight and inspire confidence.
But why should the DMK be seen as rudderless in the present scenario? After all, it is an organisation grounded in ideology, history and tradition unlike its rival that necessarily glowed in the reflected glory and charisma of larger- than-life personalities like MGR and Jayalalithaa. Why has the DMK failed to capture the popular imagination as a party just waiting to capture power and capable of bringing back order to the muddled political scene?
Of course, some swift developments have confused the people. Like a Delhi police team travelling all the way to Chennai to just deliver a summons, that too close to midnight amid the whirring of TV cameras. Or, the faction of a political party having sufficient numbers to form the government and is firmly in the saddle going for negotiations with a weak breakaway group. Or over the temerity of the leader of the breakaway group in putting forward incredible conditions to begin talks.
Bogged down by such intrigue, the people miss someone who could explain how the wheels crank within wheels and throw light on the invisible forces behind the unfolding drama. And they miss the nonagenarian Kalaignar.