It was important for Mufti to take charge again and prove that he is a man of destiny while for the BJP it was a moment of triumph when the party could prove that it can rule a Muslim majority state with its Hindu nationalistic credentials.

While the beginning was good with the coming together of the two parties, which are like north and south poles, the challenges before the new government is huge. One may assume that since Mufti is a much more experienced politician and he is likely to fare better. For this the newfound bonhomie between the PDP and the BJP will have to stand the test the time. There are factors beyond the experience and competence of a chief minister, which decide the fate of a government going by the past experience.

The first is challenge for Mufti is to find a find a working relationship with the BJP at the ground level. One wrong step by either of the parties will end in disaster. Will Mufti handle the contradictions both inside his cabinet and outside and also at the national level? There are already murmurs in the local BJP that they have not been given hefty portfolios. At the national level within hours of his taking over, the statements made by the Mufti in his first press conference giving credit to the separatists and Pakistan for allowing peaceful elections has left the BJP leaders red faced. The opposition parties in Parliament are up in arms about this statement although Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had distanced himself from Muffti’s line of thinking. The BJP leaders are also embarrassed about some PDP MLAs about handing over the mortal remains of Afzal Guru. These are only the beginning.

The third and bigger challenge is to persuade the people of valley that the coalition with the BJP was not a sell out for the sake of power. He knows people in the valley are not particularly enthused about the PDP-BJP alliance. IN fact the PDP is getting it from both sides = Jammu and the valley. As one of his ministers pointed out to me this challenge is even more than the challenge of governance and development and perhaps biggest the Mufti faces in his long political career.

The Common Minimum Programme does not give an indication that the PDP will get its election promises.

One cannot rule out the possibility of issues like Article 370, AFSPA, West Pakistan refugees, cropping up again in future and disturbing the coalition.

The fourth is governance. Mufti can do well to focus on things, which are in his control like delivering on governance front.

The state needs fast-track development and especially since one of the justifications given by PDP for going with BJP was to ensure liberal central funding for the state projects.

The fifth is the Mufti has been talking about a dialogue with Pakistan and Hurriyat. He has also been claiming credit for confidence building measures like cross-LoC trade and bus service, Mufti will have to take them to the next level. The BJP and Prime Minister Modi are known for their tough stand against Pakistan and the Modi government even called off the Foreign secretary level talks between India and Pakistan some time ago because the Pakistan High commissioner met the Hurriyat leaders in Delhi. In such an atmosphere, how far Mufti succeeds in his efforts to bring New Delhi and Islamabad on the table is a question mark.

As for the BJP, it has to do a balancing act if the two parties have to make a success of the Jammu and Kashmir government. No doubt the core issues are put in the backburner but how long it can do so is a question mark because the so called fringe elements in the party will not remain quiet for long and discordant voices are bound to be heard sooner than later.
The second challenge for the BJP is to build up the party in the state and it should be able to utilize the opportunity to rule for its expansion.

The third is about religion. Any statement by the fringe elements could find its echo in Jammu and Kashmir, which might turn into violence. How could Modi explain issues like Ghar Wapasi? Will the Mufti keep silent on the issue?

The fourth will be how far Modi can support the dialogue with Pakistan to go along with Mufti’s views. The PDP had been talking of self- rule and the POK.

The fourth is speedy resettlement of the displaced pundits. This too has to be done on fast track.

No doubt the two parties have a golden opportunity to prove to the people of their good intentions. The million-dollar question is will they use it to their advantage. (IPA Service)