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Centre ready to do business with the new rulers in J&K

By Harish Khare

New Delhi Oct.10. For most of the day the president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress, Gulam Nabi Azad, kept dodging the question whether he was a contender for chief ministership. Mehbooba Mufti of the People's Democratic Party also played coy when asked whether she would to be the Chief Minister in a Congress-PDP coalition arrangement.

The Centre, which had all along hoped that somehow the National Conference (NC) would be able to scrape its way back to the Srinagar Secretariat, found itself rather flummoxed by the total rejection of the ruling party in Jammu and Kashmir. The earlier inclination was that even if the NC fell short of a clear-cut majority by a few seats, the Centre could pitch in with all its resources to help the Abdullahs make the deficit.

However, the Centre is not in a position, after a fairly long time, to have its preferences enforced in Srinagar. Even the ubiquitous "IB" has not been able to "ensconce" its "favourite" on the Kashmiri gadi. The NC is truly out.

For now, almost all the relevant decision-makers are hoping for a "coherent" governing arrangement in Srinagar. Indications are that the Centre would be lending a helping hand to enable the Congress and the PDP to cobble together a working coalition.

Considerable satisfaction is being expressed over the fact that the voters have favoured the "nationalist" political forces, rather than heed the secessionist voices. It is pointed out that apart from the Congress, other national forces like the CPI (M) and the BSP have also won. And, it is claimed, that the PDP too has to be treated as a ''nationalist'' formation; after all, it is being led by a former Union Home Minister.

In other words, the Centre would be prepared to do business with the alternative arrangement, even if it is headed by the PDP. There is the recognition that the participation of so many different parties and groups was a rejection of the secessionist argument, and, therefore, there is need for the Centre to rise above party considerations. Also, it is recognised that whatever political arrangement finally is in place, the Kashmir Valley should not be allowed to feel left out, politically, administratively and emotionally.

At the same time, the Centre would be opposed to any kind of vindictiveness towards the Abdullah family. "The voters have rejected a dynasty, and there is no need for vendetta against the Abdullah family", remarked a life-long observer of the Kashmir scene. In fact, the Prime Minister is likely to try to persuade Omar Abdullah to stay in the Union Cabinet. Also, the senior Abdullah would be advised to hang around for a while.

After all, there are no illusions that the completion of a "free and fair election" means an end to the "Kashmir problem". "Difficult days are ahead, and it is important, first, that a coherent regime settles down in Srinagar and, second, that there be complete trust between Srinagar and New Delhi," observed a key official.

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