The enemy: cynicism

The new coalition agenda of the Congress and People’s Democratic Party is ambitious by any yardstick. But to paraphrase Robert Browning, man’s reach should exceed his grasp, otherwise what is a heaven for? The new coalition promises peace with justice and a clear reversal of almost all the factors that led to the alienation of people in the state, as well as ending militancy and terrorism. Toward this end, the two parties have agreed to introduce measures that would encourage the return of Kashmiri Pandits on one side, and the rehabilitation of the youth who got misguided into militancy and violence against society. This is perhaps the most crucial period for the state and the success or failure of the coalition government would have far-reaching consequences.

The major effort, as the proposed programme points out, would be on employment-orientated development with top priority being given to a medium term plan for it. The reality that lack of employment opportunities for the youth — far more aware than their parents and grandparents — has been a major factor for alienation and militancy is perhaps being accorded the priority in the political agenda for the first time. Equitable share of resources has been promised to all the regions of the state in an effort to address the sub-regional needs and a statutory state finance commission would certainly be of great help in an empirical and scientific approach to this issue. But what would matter is honest efficient governance for the people.

The coalition’s programme is obviously ambitious. But the articulation of a vision of the type spelt out in the document is also what is sorely needed as the road map for the future. The greatest challenge that the new government would face would be fulfilling the promises made, firstly those in the individual party agendas and now in the coalition’s agreed programme. To some extent these are going to clash. There could also be personality tensions. Both these possibilities could create serious difficulties in the coalition. But the worst thing that can happen is the growth of complacency and even cynicism that negates even the attempt to provide solutions to the problems faced by the people.