The coalition of the PDP and the BJP was an uneasy alliance from the start. The BJP has at last severed ties with the PDP unseating the Mehbooba Mufti government. The alliance lasted for three years despite many contradictions. The BJP wished to play tough with militants and separatist in the valley. The PDP on the other hand wanted a conciliatory approach to these bodies though the alliance with the BJP toned down the approach. Kashmir Valley as a result drew away from Jammu. Burhan Wani’s funeral climaxed the anger. Daily protests followed and normalcy vanished from the Kashmir Valley. The Kathua gang-rape and murder of a Muslim girl earlier this year caused indignation all over the state especially because of the apathy and defence of the gang-rape by some BJP leaders of the state. The rift was wide open and division in the coalition widened over the Ramzan ceasefire. Shujaat Bukhari’s assassination for fighting against attack on freedom of the press proved the last straw.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has resigned. There are no contenders for forming an alternative government. The inevitable solution is Governor’s rule which has been a frequent occurrence in Jammu & Kashmir. With that, security operations may be further stepped up thereby antagonizing local people. Kashmir’s militancy is no longer prompted by sub-nationalism but by an Islamic identity in recent times. Pakistan’s support to terrorism in J&K shows no signs of abating in spite of feeble attempts by the two countries to promote bi-lateralism. The BJP has its eyes on the 2019 Lok Sabha polls with an emphasis on nationalist pro-Hindutva plank. The alliance with the PDP did not go well with the mission. J&K assembly polls will probably be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections. Prolonged Governor’s rule will only cause resentment among Kashmiri people.