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Kashmir : First Congress CM in 30 years |
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Ghulam Nabi Azad was sworn in as the first Congress Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir in over three decades on Wednesday, November 2.
Azad and 12 others including Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussein Beg, were administered the oath of office and secrecy by the Governor, Lt. Gen. S.K. Sinha in Srinagar. The size of the Ministry has been kept small in keeping with Azad’s promise. Seven of the new Ministers are from the Kashmir Valley, three from Jammu and two from Ladakh. Barring two new faces in Tarqi Hamid Qarra (PDP) and Gulchain Singh Charran (Congress), the rest were all members of the erstwhile Mufti Mohd. Sayeed Government. This brings the Congress tally to eight, PDP four, and PDF one.
Even as a beaming Azad took over, his loyalists were disappointed by what they called “last minute pressure” on their leader to exclude his supporters. Ghulam Ahmed Mir, Jugal Kishore and Yogesh Sawhney - perceived to surely make the cut - were left out. Five Cabinet ministers in the Mufti Government were also disappointed to find that their names were not on the list of the new Council of Ministers.
Changeover marked by terrorist violence
Ghulam Nabi Azad got a grim reminder of the challenges ahead. Militants struck the very day he was sworn in, sending out the clear message that they may be down after the killer earthquake, but they are definitely not out.
A suicide bomber blew up his car on the outskirts of Srinagar, near the private residence of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohd. Sayeed, killing five persons, including himself, hours before the swearing in. Three civilians and a policemen were the others who died. Seventeen people were injured in the explosion. Several houses, shops and other structures were damaged.
The Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed that the bomber was its cadre. A caller who claimed to be the Jaish spokesperson, said the “car bomb is our first gift to Ghulam Nabi Azad.”
Terrorism, a major challenge before Azad
Azad’s biggest challenge is to contain militancy, but he has to do this without a further dip in the state’s already tarnished human rights record. Nothing will bring about a more adverse turn for him and for the Congress, than brutal force acting in the name of combating cross-border terrorism.
The new Chief Minister has indicated the framework within which he plans to operate. He has underscored the importance of the healing touch. He has also promised to do his best to bring those elements that chose to keep out of the election process to the negotiating table, to make them part of the political mainstream. He has shown his commitment to working for the ongoing peace process and the Centre-Hurriyat talks too.
Instant success for Azad can came from efficient handling of relief distribution. Many quake victims still remain unattended. The snow and cold is another serious challenge. The survivors need a roof over their heads, tents won’t suffice. If the winter takes its toll, Azad may well find himself out in the cold.
No unilateral demilitarization
India has reacted cautiously to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s suggestion of demilitarizing both sides of Kashmir. External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh told reporters in New Delhi on November 1 that demilitarization cannot be done unilaterally.
“After all they (Pakistan) are in occupation of our areas,” he said when asked about Musharraf’s proposal of demilitarizing the region to provide comfort to earthquake affected people.
Natwar Singh also had a word of advice for Musharraf. “Over-verbalising does not help. Every second day there is a statement from that side,” he contended. The External Affairs Minister made it clear that he has to study the Pakistan President’s comments and the context in which it was made before offering any definite views. Asked about Musharraf’s proposal, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said : “I am not commenting on anything today.”
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