Can a Career Politician from UP Be an Effective J&K Governor?

Yashwant Sinha, Radha Kumar & Wajahat Habibullah on whether a career politician for UP will be an effective governor

Satya Pal Malik took oath as J&K Governor on 23 August 2018. 

(Photo: Arnica Kala/The Quint)

Satya Pal Malik’s appointment as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir has set the political circles abuzz.

A career politician from Western Uttar Pradesh, Satya Pal Malik is a former member of Samajwadi Party, Indian National Congress, Janata Party and Bharatiya Janata Party. He was known to be close to the late PDP Chief Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and continues to share a good equation with his daughter Mehbooba Mufti. On his arrival in Srinagar, he was received at the airport by Mufti’s political rival, Omar Abdullah.

Calling him ‘A Suitable Governor’, BJP in-charge of J&K, Ram Madhav rationalised the departure from the retired military-bureaucrat-judge choice for governor and wrote: “...What J&K badly needed at this juncture was a politician with a political vision – one who understands the significance of political activism and with whom the local politicians can relate.”

But what about engaging with non-political stakeholders? Does Malik’s appointment mean greater political maneuvering by the BJP in a state that’s currently under Governor’s Rule? Or will the decision to replace NN Vohra, who’s successfully presided over the state for ten troubled years, be counter-productive?

We asked the experts – former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha, who led the Concerned Citizens Group initiative; former interlocutor to the state, Radha Kumar; and former Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities, Wajahat Habibullah.

Yashwant Sinha, Former

Union Minister

Is Satya Pal Malik’s appointment a result of Centre’s ‘muscular policy’ on Kashmir?

I would not like to get personal. But the personality of the Governor will be allowed to come into full play only if the policy of the Government of India enables him to do so. If he is prisoner of the policy that the government has followed so far in Jammu and Kahsmir, then whether it is Satya Pal Malik or NN Vohra or XYZ, it will not matter.

Initially, it might have been seen in that light. That, here is a politician who has been appointed after all these decades. But Mr Modi in this 15 August speech referred to Jammu and Kashmir and said that they will follow Vajpayee’s policy of ‘Insaniyat, Jhamuriyat and Kashmiriyat’ and there are reports that Satya Pal Malik has been sent there to be able to follow or implement that policy. But media reports would suggest that they are asking the Governor to speak to anyone who’s willing to speak to him within the framework of the Constitution.

Now, that is where the catch is.

Because the moment you say in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the Kashmir Valley, that you are willing to speak to anyone who’s willing to talk under the framework of the Constitution, then it is a non-starter. And this is exactly the question that was asked of Mr Vajpayee – “What will be the framework for the dialogue in Kashmir. Will it be the Constitution?” In his reply to that question, he said “Insaniyat ke dayere mein baat hogi” (talks will be held, bearing humanity in mind). Those were his exact words. So, that’s how the concept of ‘Insaniyat’ came in. Now, you say you will follow Mr Vajpayee’s policy and then add to it by saying that the dialogue will be within the framework of the Constitution, then you’re not really following his policy.

Radha Kumar, Former J&K Interlocutor

On the timing of the announcement...

Mr Malik is clearly a seasoned politician, but at this point it would have been better if Mr Vohra had been persuaded to remain for another six months or so, and legislative elections held before a new governor was appointed. Journalists have already pointed to a spike in stone-throwing with the departure of Mr Vohra. As against this, however, many in Kashmir hope that Mr Malik's appointment – only the second politician to be governor of the state – harbingers a new peace process. Both new Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Mr Modi have recently expressed the desire to renew peace talks. If a peace process is the goal, however, Mr Vohra, with his deep knowledge and experience of peace initiatives over the past two decades, would have played a critical anchoring role. I do not know enough about Mr Malik to say whether he can or will play an equivalent role.

A ‘political’ appointment ahead of 2019 ?

One great advantage that Mr Malik has is that he has engaged with both the NC and PDP over the years – in fact he was an MoS in the VP Singh administration when Mufti Sayeed was home minister. He will therefore be able to consult both, as well as other legislators. As for the 2019 elections, I do not know. Most analysts expect further communal polarisation during the election campaigns. In an already grave communal polarisation between Jammu and the valley, Mr Malik's task is to work towards reconciliation, along with the elected leadership, and to prevent communal campaigning in or towards the 2019 election.

From NN Vohra to Satya Pal Malik and the challenges ahead...

Mr Vohra had to see Jammu and Kashmir through several crises of violence and polarisation and succeeded in bringing important interregnums of peace. From all Kashmiri comments, he became one of the most popular governors the state has had. Mr Malik's first challenge will come on Monday, when the Supreme Court hearings on petitions challenging Article 35A begin. Given that his appointment has been so recent, perhaps the Jammu and Kashmir government will seek a further adjournment. However, prolonging uncertainty over the issue will not help – it should be resolved as soon as possible. Mr Malik's longer term challenge will be to live up to Kashmiri hopes that a politician governor will promote a peace process. Thus far, he has only stated a commitment to improving governance, itself a critical element for creating conducive conditions on the ground, but not one that his experience has equipped him to implement.

Wajahat Habibullah, Former Chairperson, National Commission for Minorities

Is Satya Pal Malik the right choice for governor during this period of political uncertainty?

Of course the answer is no, since he has never served in the state or dealt with issues affecting it in any other capacity. But this must be read in the context of the excellent group of advisors and chief secretary who have been placed in the state since the fall of the elected government through whom he will work. If he simply adheres to their advice he cannot go very wrong.

From NN Vohra to Satya Pal Malik and the challenges ahead...

I wrote to Governor Vohra to congratulate him on a successful conclusion to his tour of duty as governor, a term that extended well beyond what he himself wanted. This was a difficult period for government and for the people. His was a voice for moderation in a highly volatile environment.He always upheld the highest values of India’s bureaucracy. He leaves the state confronted with a defiant youth, a fearful bureaucracy and an unpredictable situation of public order. Yet, the economy is booming, the markets including creatively designed cafes and curio shops full of customers with much to spend and tourist destinations flooded with local citizenry.

The challenge will be to mould governance as to give the people a sense of participation, not of exploitation, through marshalling the youth to the cause of working for a better future for the state, which is inclusive of all its citizens. As a politician of some experience, working with different governments Satyapal Malick should have the understanding of how to achieve this, which no retired military or security official could be expected to be in command of.