J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah’s recent observations on the lethargy of “friends in Delhi” to work for a resolution of the Kashmir issue occasions surprise. The most plausible explanation for the out-of-season remarks is that the younger Abdullah is seeking to pre-position his party, the National Conference, for next year’s Lok Sabha and state elections.
The CM invites our attention to the prosaic proposition that a Kashmiri boy making it to the national cricket team or to a top slot in the national civil services exam, or the record tourist arrivals in the Valley this year, should not be mistaken for signs of normality. Usually the separatists say this sort of thing, or Mufti Sayeed’s People’s Democratic Party when working to get into power. We should note, however, that without a modicum of normality, none of the above will be feasible.
Doubtless, as elections approach, Mr Abdullah will seek to distance his NC from New Delhi. This is an old — perhaps necessary — trick in view of regional Kashmiri sentiment. It is noteworthy that the CM has left open the option of dumping the Congress, his current ally, and partner a regional parties’ bloc at the Centre, depending on the situation. He only rules out going with the NDA. As for the old chestnut, the Kashmir question, Pakistan must get a few things right to restart a worthwhile dialogue.