JAMMU: The option for installing an interim government in Jammu and Kashmir has not been totally closed despite the fact that both the Governor, Gen K.V. Krishna Rao (reid), and the Union Home Minister, S.B. Chavan, have opposed the idea of transferring power to a group of politicians without holding the assembly poll.
Informed sources say that the Center is watching the developments in the troubled state and in case it was difficult to hold a free and fair poll, an interim or emergency government could be installed with the purpose of holding the elections within six months of its assuming power.
Sources say that in case the Center opts for the installation of an interim government, Dr. Mustafa Kamal, brother of Dr. Farooq Abdullah, may head the government.
The alternative is being kept open following reports that the existing administrative setup has not been able to interact with the people and pro-India political leaders for creating situation in which the participation of at least 40 to 50% voters in the elections could be ensured, There is a feeling among a cross-section of people that the wedge between the state admiration and the people could be closed only by some politicians constituting an interim government.
People recall that during 194748 when the Pakistani tribal invasion on the state had created a major security and law and order problem, the state affairs were run by an emergency government headed by Sheikh Abdullah, As such there is a Constitutional provision for such type of an interim arrangement.
At present, the government has started encouraging pro-India politicians, most of them belonging to the National Conference, to return to Srinagar for renewing their links with the people and for assisting the government in carrying out pre poll exercises afresh.
Reports say that scores of former ministers and legislators belonging to the National Conference have recently left Jammu for Srinagar where they have been debating on political affairs with their leader, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, According to these reports, certain National Conference leaders were “enticed” to rush to Srinagar as they were told that the formation of an interim government was on the cards. Others were informed that the National Conference was preparing a tentative list of party ‘candidates who: ‘would be fielded in the proposed elections and to ensure that those who had migrated to Jammu five years are not left. In Jammu, the party general secretary, Bashir Ahmed Kichloo, is said to have prepared)a tentative list of prospective candidates and has reached Srinagar.
The National Conference has plans to admit some BJP leaders in party who could be fielded against the BJP candidates in the proposed assembly poll. But for the time being, politicians belonging to several pro-India political Parties seem to be in favor of the installation of an interim government. This process could, as some of them put it, allow them enough chance for muster peoples’ support. Hitherto, they have not been able to secure petty concessions for the people, once in power, they will be in a position to redress some grievances of the people, thereby securing their support in the proposed poll.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 30, 1995
