Kashmir Election

31 December 2008 | courtesy e-group

How Far It Reflects Their Opinion:

The Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir yesterday appeared set for a second successive spell of coalition as elections to the state legislature threw up a fractured mandate, according to news report;

None of the major contenders for power -- National Conference (NC), People's Democratic Party (PDP) and Congress -- could win enough seats to form the state government on their own.National Conference led by former chief minister Farooq Abdullah emerged as the single largest party with 28 seats in the 87-member assembly, far away from the majority mark of 44 seats.PDP headed by Mufti Mohd Sayeed finished second, setting off speculation in political circles about possible permutations and combinations about the shape of future government.The questions being asked is whether NC will form a coalition government with Congress or PDP or will the Farooq Abdullah-led party will form government on its own with outside support from Congress or PDP?The election may have seen Congress' tally of seats in polls this time coming down from its haul in the previous elections when it secured 20 seats but the party is clearly in the position of a kingmaker as its support has been sought by NC. NC leader Omar Abdullah, Farooq's son, has said his party would approach Congress for support. He did not rule out alliance with PDP but described the latter as an "opportunist party".

The Congress and PDP had shared power in the state for the last six years after the 2002 polls had thrown up a hung assembly under a unique power-sharing arrangement which saw the two parties leading the coalition government for three years each.

But how far this election reflects the public opinion.We have seen the massive movement of the Kashmiris and first hand report of Ms Arundhati Roy. It appeared to us that hardly any Kashmiri wants to stay with India.The solution of kashmir problem is a must for peace in the subcontinent. India should realise it. They have genuine complaint about Mumbai but they should also realise that the Indian army and other forces have killed more than sixty thousand civiliansin Kashmir and they have grudge against India.We hope India realizes that this can not continue forever.