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general elections

trepidation at any prospect of the sidering the endemic anger against the Congress is specific to Lok Sabha polls,
return of the BJP to power in the coun- PDP following its disastrous coalition the arrangement is likely to be replicat-
try and would rather want a Congress government with the BJP. And should ed for the Assembly election. The PDP
party or a secular opposition to make the NC win the largest number of seats is also pitching for a broader opposition
the new government. But then J&K has in the Assembly if not a majority, its alliance but has been miffed by the lack
little role or political weight to influ- preferable choice for a coalition would of reciprocity from the NC.
ence in any measure the government be the Congress. But should such an alliance come
formation at the centre, even though In many ways thus the. PDP’s bitter through during Assembly polls, it
the situation in J&K becomes a major experience with the BJP has once again will make it exceedingly difficult for the
poll issue at the national level and does made the Congress as the natural coa- BJP to retain its 25 seats in Jammu prov-
determine to a good extent how people lition partner of the mainly Kashmir- ince, paving the way, in all probability,
vote. based parties like the NC and the PDP. for an NC-Congress government in the
Congress ruled the state from 2002 to state.
A yearning for Assembly polls 2014 as part of the two coalition gov- However, much also depends on which
Kashmir is hoping for a change of the ernments - first one with the PDP and party comes to power at the centre
government at the centre which would another one with the NC. following the general elections. A BJP
pave the way for Assembly election in The party is now readying itself to be government would put the J&K BJP
the state and which is where all the a part of a probable new coalition gov- once again on a stronger footing. And a
action will take place. ernment with the NC. Hence an alliance Congress-led or backed coalition at the
So far, it is the National Conference between the parties for the Lok Sabha. centre would make things relatively
which is appearing as the favourite to Though the NC leader Devendra Singh easier for the local Congress and the
win Assembly polls. Not because there Rana has said that the alliance with the regional parties as they would be more
is some popular groundswell in support open to being a part of it..
of the party but because it has become • change eyed Kashmir is hoping for a change
the default option for the people con- of the government at the Centre letters@tehelka.com

Tehelka / 30 april 2019 37 www.Tehelka.com