Jammu and Kashmir polls: BJP's Ram Madhav trying to forge pre-poll alliance with Third Front

While the People Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference (NC) have been the two major players in Jammu and Kashmir politics, the smaller parties, which have come together as a ‘Third Front’ this year, will play a decisive role in the formation of the next government in the state. In September last year, over a dozen small political parties in Kashmir had come together to forge an alliance to form the Third Front which was later named as People’s United Front (PUF). The parties had vowed to provide a platform for people against the traditional political parties in Kashmir. The strife-torn state is going to polls starting on 25 November. Sitting legislator from Khansahib and Peoples Democratic Forum (PDF) founder Hakeem Mohammad Yasin said the Third Front would become the voice to those who have been exploited by the traditional political class in Kashmir and this would be an initiative for the “downtrodden that is not heard.” [caption id=“attachment_1792781” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Jammu and Kashmir polls will begin on 25 November. Reuters[/caption] “We are people with a common cause and approach who have joined hands. We will be fighting for at least 30 seats in state,” Yaseen a four-time legislator, who is seeking re-election from his home constituency of Khansahib in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, told Firstpost. “The politics in Kashmir is different than the politics in Delhi or that of Haryana’s. We have Article 370 and issues of unemployment. Add the problems of the flood victims. Whosoever gives us assurances on these fronts we will support them,” Yasin said, admitting that he and other leaders of the front had recently met BJP national secretary Ram Madhav and discussed various issues. A senior leader of the Third Front, however, said they are likely to support the party that would emerge as the single largest party in the state. Early this week, the amalgamation of various mainstream political parties received a boost when Ghulam Hassan Mir, agriculture minister in Omar Abdullah government, joined them. Mir was once considered a close ally of Congress in the state. The Front leaders are also in talks with MLA Langate, Sheikh Abdul Rashid (Er Rashid) who are also likely to join in coming days. While visiting Kashmir recently, Madhav, apart from meeting Yasin also met separatist (turned mainstream) politician Sajad Lone. “Although, there is no chance of a pre-poll alliance with the BJP, the leadership has shown a keen interest. If the situation arises, we would support any party who would understand the on-the-ground realities of Jammu and Kashmir and help develop the state,” Yasin added. In the last two months Madhav has visited Kashmir twice and after consultations with the senior leaders in New Delhi, BJP national secretary is trying to forge a post-poll alliance which could see the BJP coming to power for the first time in the only Muslim majority state of India. On supporting the BJP, Yasin said there are issues that need to be considered before any decision is taken. And alliances will be discussed once the results are announced. BJP is likely to sweep the Jammu and Kashmir polls too, political analysts told Firstpost, although the real challenge for the party would be to wrest a couple of seats in Kashmir. The Party for the first time has fielded candidates for most of the 87 seats in the state. And its dream of ruling the state will only be realized if it manages to pull up a strong alliance with Lone and other peripheral parties. Lone in an interview had recently said, “…BJP is a better option compared to the Congress. If BJP leaders want to meet us, we welcome them. We can talk and we can exchange ideas,” Political analysts say if the BJP manages to pull the majority seats in Jammu region and is able to divide Muslims votes in Chenab region in Jammu, its mission Kashmir could well be accomplished. “Imagine BJP winning all the seats in Jammu region and Sajad Lone and the Third Front in Kashmir winning at least a dozen seats, it could well release its dream of coming to power in a state were taking its name a decade ago would have meant death,” Ajaz Ahmad, a political analyst based in Srinagar, said.