In a country where family rule has become the norm, Jammu and Kashmir is no exception. The ruling National Conference runs through a coterie of family members. But, in recent years this coterie has become more of a problem than a solution especially in an era of coalition politics. Dr Mustafa Kamal, who is one of the sons of founder of NC Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, has recently put the party in deep trouble. The motor mouth leader, having been already dumped for his remarks against the army last year by his brother and party president Farooq Abdullah, is adding to the coalition woes in the state yet again.
Kamal, who had accused the army of being behind a series of grenade attacks in the valley last year, was sacked from the post of general secretary then. He had been handed the post of chief spokesperson and general secretly after, Sheikh Nazir Ahmad, his cousin, who holds all the secrets of the party and the family was not doing well for a long time. But the decision proved disastrous as his repeated attacks against the coalition partner Congress and the army caused a huge embarrassment for his nephew—Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, who around this period was strongly pitching for the revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from some parts of the state.
Certain elements in the Congress had upped the ante over their term of the coalition leadership at the end of the three year of alliance’s six year term.
Apparently Kamal made his own judgments and certain leaders in the NC think some of party’s stalwarts were actually advising him as well, says a source.
Since the New Delhi appointed three-member interlocutors team was made public, he has upped the ante particularly concerning his party’s demand of Autonomy of the state.
The clash with the Congress was therefore eminent this time round. “The clash is about the 1975 Indira-Sheikh Accord. While the Congress maintains that the accord is final, the NC has always stated that it was temporary,” says, a political analyst, Inshah Malik.
Raising the pitch Kamal last week said the Congress is pressurizing his party as they (Congress) were inclined towards PDP. “They have an alternative available and they want to go with PDP,” Kamal says.
Kamal refuses to accept that an accord was reached between Sheikh and Gandhi. “Which Accord are you talking about? How did they (Congress leaders) conclude that an Accord was signed?” he questions on being asked to react to state Congress leader and Minister for PHE Taj Mohiuddin’s statement where he had called the Accord as being “the only basis to decide future of the state.”
However, there was an understanding reached between Sheikh and Indira which was based on deliberations between Mirza Afzal Beigh and G Parthashastry, he adds.
He claims the understanding was reached to review all the central laws extended to the state from 1953 on wards by the then “puppet governments”. The agreement was never signed by the two leaders, he adds.
Taj says he has decided to sue Kamal. But, the fiery Kamal is unfazed.