The first two phases of the election have amply demonstrated that the people in Kashmir are capable of taking their own decisions regardless of the sermons of so called popular leaders. There seems to be a wide gulf between the assessment of the ground situation by the leaders and the common people. For decades Kashmir’s leaders have been propagating Azadi as the ultimate goal. Azadi is being projected as the final emancipation for a Kashmiri. A dream goal where all his troubles will be over. However, none of the leaders have been able to define in concrete terms what form the ultimate Azadi will have. Will it be the merger of the State with Pakistan? Will it be total independence as a sovereign country? Or will it be a fully autonomous State like Bhutan? Will Azadi be for the whole State or for Kashmir only? There have been differing voices on all these subjects. Some have preferred to remain vague under the cover of the right to self-determination.

They say that once the right is given, people will decide their future set up. Till this ultimate goal is reached, what are people supposed to do? How will they get good governance in the meantime? In the absence of the honest and sincere people coming forward to take up the day to day governance, the field has been kept open for all types of free loaders to make hay while the sun shines. Before the turmoil of nineties there still was a semblance of good governance as some honest and dedicated people tried to take care of the people in spite of the presence of a host of free loaders. However, after nineties the field has been totally left open for all types of characters to come into the arena of so called governance. This is because of the events of last two decades. Almost all well meaning persons have totally kept themselves aloof from anything to do with the day to day governance. The result has been total breakdown in every sphere of life. There is no accountability in any field.

A virtual free for all prevails in every sector of governance and administration. Corruption has become a normal way of life. It is not abhorred at all. It is considered a normal adjunct to the process of governance. The saying money makes the mare go can be seen in practice everywhere in Kashmir. When a Hurriyat leader was asked why they do not participate in elections, he responded that elections have nothing to do with the solution of the Kashmir problem. He further stated that elections were only for administration and governance. Probably thereby meaning they have nothing to do with the day to day governance. Taking cue from this, some mainstream parties floated the idea of good governance being separate from the final solution of the Kashmir problem. They made a plea to the people to allow them to give good governance. They promised provision of basic infrastructure which is in shambles.

They promised jobs which people especially the youth want badly. In fact, they have been virtually promising moon to the people. The people came out in large numbers without any visible coercion to vote and to elect what some of them called good and clean representatives to form a government which would deliver. The plea was that if the people boycotted the elections, they would still get a government but of totally unresponsive and corrupt people. “Azadi” could wait but not good governance. “Azadi” is an abstract dream but the governance is real and substantive. People have voted for electric power which has remained elusive and each dispensation has promised to provide it. People want good roads. People want basic health care. People desire fully functional schools with buildings and teaching staff. People want jobs. There are hundreds of thousands of educated unemployed youth. Above everything else, people want an end to harassment and humiliation. The same situation prevailed in Kashmir twice earlier. In 1996, the people were promised all these things. However, instead of getting peace, and good governance, they got SOG and unemployment!

The harassment did not decrease but rather increased disproportionately. The “friendlies” beat hell out of the people! Again in 2002, they were promised “healing touch” and jobs but the government they got pulled in different directions. They got neither the “healing touch” nor the jobs. Once again the people seem to have decided to give it one more try. Is it out of frustration and desperation? Is it the least of the evils to take on? Or is it a genuine desire for peace and normal life? It is the most difficult question to answer as a Kashmiri never reveals his true feelings! There is a debate going on that a Kashmiri has reconciled to status quo and has rejected “Azadi”. Let us for argument’s sake assume that a Kashmiri has finally realised the futility of fighting for the abstract and illusive “Azadi”. Let us assume he now wants good governance to get a decent and peaceful life. The million dollar question is will he get it after the present elections? It will depend upon the dispensation for governance which will emerge after the elections. Will it be able to deliver? So far there does not seem to be any chance for a totally new dispensation to emerge.

The players are the same who have been in the field for decades. There may be different permutations and combinations but the bunch of rulers is the same. The new rulers will have to show results and that too fast. Whosoever emerges as the victor will get at the most six months or so to fulfil the promises made before the elections. If he fails, disillusionment will set in again. There will be another wave for “Azadi” and this time it will be more vicious and destructive. Delhi has always committed blunders in Kashmir. This time they have got an opportunity to act. Will they ensure good governance through whosoever takes up the reins of power? They have no alternative but to do it. Kashmir has to get a neat and clean government which can deliver as per the aspirations of the people.

So far all the leaders have been putting their own aspirations on the top. Now it is for the peoples’ aspirations to be put forth and honoured. Any failure on this account would be disastrous. Kashmiris have provided umpteen chances to Delhi to put its act together but unfortunately every time they have failed to act. This may be the proverbial last chance for them to act! The least they can do is to make the new rulers truly accountable and answerable to the people. If the common people get what they are coming out to vote for, there may be a perceptible change in the thinking of the people. If they do not get good governance, then one can only think of the saying, “Beware of the fury of a patient man!” It may be the virtual end of the road!