“…in August 2008, Vohra led the administration to quell the anti-India uprising…”
Khursheed Wani
SRINAGAR: Ahead of Assembly polls in embattled Jammu & Kashmir, the Centre’s decision not to disturb the Raj Bhawan by offering second term to Governor NN Vohra has significant political implications, observers say.
The Governor’s advice and interventions would be important in establishing future dispensation in the sensitive State grappling with political uncertainty and lack of sustainable peace.
Sources said, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is not too content with the development as the Governor has watched his tenure very minutely and many a times reported his dissatisfaction with the functioning of the Government. On the other hand, the Congress is elated over Vohra’s continuation while the Opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) view it as an indication of Centre’s post-poll plans to engage for political resolution of Jammu & Kashmir issue.
The term of 76-year-old Vohra, a former Punjab cadre IAS officer who has served as defence and home secretaries during his bureaucratic tenure, was due to end to on June 25. He took over as J&K Governor on June 25, 2008 when the State was grappling with unprecedented law and order situation in the aftermath of controversial transfer of forestland to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. The Raj Bhawan was at the centre of controversy that divided the State on communal lines and even led to the fall of Congress-PDP coalition Government.
After imposition of Central rule in J&K in August 2008, Vohra led the administration to quell the anti-India uprising, which was followed by holding Assembly elections. Significantly, massive participation in the Assembly elections changed the political discourse in the State.
Since insurgency erupted in J&K in 1989, Vohra was the first person without army or intelligence background to occupy the gubernatorial post after Jagmohan, who was recalled by the Centre in 1990. All other Governors were either former Army commanders or intelligence chiefs.
Observers say that Vohra’s handling of the important Amarnath Yatra issue has gone to his credit to win him second term even as there was a subtle Opposition to his continuation from some quarters. The J&K Governor is the ex-officio Chairman of Shri Amarnath Shine Board (SASB) that organises and regulates the annual pilgrimage.
“Unlike his predecessor Lt Gen SK Sinha, Vohra handled the yatra issue is an astute manner. The flow of pilgrims has phenomenally increased while the duration of the yatra has not been reduced. The yatra is now more disciplined and regulated without any hue and cry,” said a senior journalist.
The JKPCC Prof Saifuddin Soz said that Vohra’s continuation was welcome because he knows the sensitivities and intricacies of Kashmir. “He (Vohra) has a lot of knowledge about Kashmir. His role in upcoming elections would be crucial. He won’t allow any unethical practices in the elections,” he said.
The Opposition PDP’s chief spokesman Nayim Akhtar appreciated Vohra’s outlook on Kashmir. “He is an old hand in Kashmir with a perspective. I think his continuation indicates to serious rethinking at the Centre about Kashmir. Post-elections, Vohra would be involved in initiating dialogue process for the resolution of Kashmir issue,” he said.
Interestingly, post-2008, the PDP was not too thick with the Governor except for the protocol requirements. Unlike other mainstream political entities in the State, the PDP leadership was rarely seen with the Governor. But the party seems to be mending ways with the Raj Bhawan, a keen observed pointed out.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has hoped that Vohra would continue to guide the Government during his second term and be instrumental in the goal of achieving permanent peace and prosperity in the State.
The ruling National Conference provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani said that the appointment of Vohra was the most appropriate decision. “He has handled crucial situations in most mature manner”, he said.
Observers say that Vohra has always watched the functioning of the coalition government critically and often alerted the Centre or conveyed his feelings to the State Government.
He snubbed Omar Abdullah on behalf of the Central Government when the latter floated the controversial idea of partial withdrawal of AFSPA in October 2011. The Governor reportedly played a significant role in banning reappointment of bureaucrats on the basis of their political connections.
Observers, however, say that Vohra’s appointment as J&K Governor was sequel to his role as interlocutor on J&K but during his first tenure he failed to initiate any process to cut ice with the secessionist groups. “There is a possibility that he (Vohra) may pick up threads to initiate dialogue for the resolution of Kashmir in his second tenure,” Akhtar said.
Interestingly, the separatists have not offered any reaction to Vohra’s continuation.
(Courtesy: Pioneer)
