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POLITICAL FORCES in Jammu and Kashmir, and separatists, had been dormant for the last several weeks given the tense situation following the massive military buildup along the border on both sides. Militancy-related violence had not shown any significant decline either.

The Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, was conspicuous by his absence, away on a visit to London, though he maintained that it was a ``medical trip.''

And notwithstanding occasional statements from party functionaries, the National Conference had almost shunned its political role. Without serious followup to issues such as greater autonomy for the State, it is now gearing up for the Assembly elections with an agenda which is not known.

Now, Dr. Abdullah's opponents have revitalised their efforts to give him a ``tough fight'' when elections are held. According to knowledgeable sources, an exercise has begun among a section of mainstream politicians to form a new alliance. They are on a ``mission'' to woo some leaders from the separatist camp, particularly the Hurriyat Conference, to join the new platform and make it more ``credible''. It is learnt that three senior politicians of the State, the former Union Home Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the CPI(M) leader, Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami, and another former Minister, Saifuddin Soz, have joined hands to give formal shape to the alliance.

Many rounds of parleys have taken place among these leaders recently. They even made a joint visit to Posh Kreeri village in south Kashmir where five members of the minority community were gunned down by unknown militants. Later they issued a joint statement.

They were busy in negotiations in Jammu as well; all three camping there for quite some time. Mr. Sayeed, whose People's Democratic Party (PDP) has been working day and night to register its presence in almost all corners of the State, is ready to fight the elections under a new front of which Mr. Tarigami's CPI(M) and Prof. Soz (who was sacked from the National Conference) will be a part. However, they have started working towards getting some other parties as well under the new banner, which will fight elections with a ``common agenda''. According to sources, the new alliance will focus on ``bad governance'' and campaign for maximum political concessions to the State''.

A significant part of the new exercise is believed to be the efforts to woo Hurriyat Conference leaders to join the election fray for which a ``tacit understanding with the Centre'' is not ruled out. Sources said some Hurriyat Conference leaders were ready to fight the elections if a face-saving formula was promised by the Centre.

A senior leader involved in the moves said ``nothing can be ruled out.'' He also hinted at the Democratic Freedom Party chief, Shabir Shah, joining the front. ``We are in touch with all these leaders.''

There are also other signs of a reaching out to the separatist camp. Recently, a senior IAS officer of the Jammu and Kashmir cadre, Wajahat Habibullah, was in Srinagar on a ``secret mission.'' Presently director of the IAS academy at Mussourie, Mr. Habibullah met the Hurriyat Conference chairman, Abdul Gani Bhat, the senior leader, Yaseen Malik, and also Shabir Shah. But a source close to him maintained that he was here to pursue his research project on ``human rights.''

At the same time, the Hurriyat Conference's decision to rush a team to Delhi to brief diplomats of various countries has raised many eyebrows. Could this be part of a follow-up to any ``mission'' entrusted to Mr. Habibullah? Significant is the inclusion of Syed Ali Shah Geelani in the delegation. He is considered a hardliner not ready to compromise on any ``political concession withtin the Indian Constitution.'' The other two leaders are Abdul Gani Lone and Yaseen Malik.

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