(Note: This article of mine was published in the May issue of Express Star Teller. I had originally written it for the Express Star Teller magazine and the same is being reproduce here)

In a historic development the Bhariyiya Janata Party (BJP) become the part of a government coalition in Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir for the very first time. The BJP, rooted in Hindu Nationalism, agreed to become a junior partner to the People Democratic Party (PDP), a regional player in Jammu & Kashmir having leaders from separatist background, led by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as the chief minister of the coalition government. This could be the beginning of a new era in the politics of the state, which has a long history of insurgency and unrest. India and Pakistan both control the parts of Jammu & Kashmir, but claim it full. Since 1947, this region has witnessed four wars and has suffered from continuous cross-border terrorism for the last 3 decades. Because of it, development projects have been derailing in the state and there is widespread discontent among the youth due to unemployment.

Nevertheless, the new PDP-BJP government in Jammu & Kashmir has raise new hopes not only for the development of state but also for engaging separatist leaders in the dialogue with central government to help in resolving the Kashmir dispute with Pakistan. Both the parties, having different ideologies, have agreed to run the government on a common minimum program that put emphasis on the understanding of the following disputed matters.Continue Reading