PDP leaders are expressing sympathy with militants' kin to gain lost ground in Kashmir
Last weekend, the chief spokesperson of Jammu and Kashmir's ruling party made headlines for saying that there is nothing wrong in "expressing sympathies with a dead militant's family". The statement by Rafi Ahmed Mir was deemed controversial, especially because the elected government led by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in alliance with the seemingly "nationalist" BJP.
On Thursday (January 11), party MLA Ajaz Ahmad Mir reiterated the same sentiment, giving enough hints that these are not isolated comments.
Scratch the surface and a timely strategy of the PDP will emerge. The party is reigniting an old policy, to gain lost ground in the Valley, especially in south Kashmir.
Three reasons why the PDP is sending out "militants are also our boys" statements: an olive branch to the agitated vote base in south Kashmir, the forthcoming panchayat elections in the state and to gradually decelerate the anger among the masses. The statements by PDP MLAs can be considered either a humane gesture irrespective of ideologies, or a survival strategy.
Mehbooba Mufti, back when she was known only as the daughter of former CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, used to pay condolence visits to families of local militants killed in encounters. Peddling a soft-separatist ideology, Mehbooba, accompanied by party workers, was often photographed lending comfort to the families, an initiative confirmed by her party spokesperson Rafi Ahmad Mir. Back then, it would have been unimaginable to presume a probable alliance with the BJP in near future.
The PDP chose to bank on this ground sympathy ahead of 2014 Assembly elections, using the anti-incumbency wave against the National Conference led by Omar Abdullah.
The party eventually came to power in alliance with the BJP and toned down its support to such families. A step that proved fatal, especially for party cadres.
Since the past one year, many PDP workers have faced the wrath of terror groups. Threats, intimidation and even cold-blooded murders have been reported from Pulwama district, once a stronghold of the PDP.
Videos of injured party workers apologising at gunpoint to terror groups surfaced throughout 2017, as unidentified armed men lurked in the frames. Gory photographs of killed panchayat members and workers of both BJP and PDP have been regularly circulated on social media. The fear has clearly gripped party cadres around the Valley.
Over 12 panchayat leaders (former and incumbent) have been killed by militants and approximately two dozen injured in the past five years. A delegation of the All Jammu Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJPK) even met the government asking for security, claiming lack of it led to escalated attacks.
Sources in the party say militants were taking revenge from the PDP for forging an alliance with the BJP. The two parties are poles apart as far their ideologies are concerned, but post-election results they realised that a partnership would be the best political bet.
Panchayat elections in the state are due on February 15. A video has been released by Riyaz Naikoo of Hizbul Mujahideen threatening to pour acid into the eyes of those participating in the local polls.
The chief minister had not only stalled her visits to families of militants, but also challenged the terror groups. Accusing the separatist leadership of manipulating the young minds, she requested parents to ensure that their children do not put themselves out in the danger zone. Her critics, meanwhile, attacked the CM for insensitivity and even turning back on her image generated before the Assembly polls. The fact that the CM did not reach out to victims of pellet guns initially in 2016, has also been heavily criticised.
The hard approach against terror groups may have worked for the alliance till now, but it appears the PDP is not willing to compromise on its loyal vote base. As fear grips Kashmir Valley, the PDP is gearing up for the panchayat elections.
This may well be a litmus test for the party and its alliance partner ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.