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Cameraperson: Abhay Sharma
Video editor: Vivek Gupta
The BJP has ended its alliance with the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir. What does this mean and how did we get here?
In 2014, the verdict in Jammu and Kashmir was a split one. Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP emerged as the largest party (with 28 seats). Their traditional rivals, the National Conference, had mustered only 15 seats. On the other hand, the BJP had won big, getting 25 seats as opposed to the Congress’ 12.
This presented quite a situation. The PDP and BJP were ideologically opposed, but together, they had the strongest shot at forming a government, with as many as 53 seats between them.
We could go on and on. But you get the drift.
They weren’t the likeliest best friends but you do make strange bedfellows in politics. And for the sake of government formation, kaafi kuch chalta hai, boss.
Even Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh admitted to the “ideological differences” between the BJP and the PDP. And how could he not?
So, if polar opposite ideologies weren’t a problem so far, why now?
For starters, the proximity to 2019.
Can Governor’s rule prove to be beneficial for the BJP?
Theoretically, a tighter administration could help rein in militants and the Centre would hope that by election time in 2019, it has the numbers to show that militancy has been controlled in the Valley. This, of course, may not work to plan, for any of the many vagaries of Kashmir.
So what next, Jammu and Kashmir? The BJP has made its move. The ball is in everyone else’s court now.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)
Published: 19 Jun 2018,11:05 PM IST