New Delhi, July 8
A change of Governor in Jammu and Kashmir is on the cards, with Mr A.S. Dulat, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Kashmir, appearing to be a front-runner to replace Mr Girish Chandra Saxena because of his extensive contacts with various Kashmiri groups, including pro-Pakistan ones.
Even as Mr Dulat’s name has been figuring prominently for the gubernatorial assignment in Jammu and Kashmir, there is speculation that the name of Planning Commission Deputy Chairman K.C. Pant is also under consideration.
Mr Pant has been the Centre’s pointsperson on Jammu and Kashmir to evolve a consensus on the views of all sections in the sensitive border state. His role as the Union Government’s interlocutor has not been taken kindly by certain groups in the valley.
Mr Dulat, at present engaged in behind-the-scenes parleys with Hurriyat and other separatist leaders, is a former head of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
Mr Dulat is known to be “close” to several separatist and militant leaders. He has been visiting the state regularly and recently met Democratic Freedom Party chief Shabir Shah in Delhi. Mr Shah had criticised the exercise undertaken by Mr Pant, describing it as “directionless.”
Mr Saxena’s term as Governor, however, comes to an end in February next year. At the same time, the Vajpayee government is keen to see a new incumbent in Raj Bhavan in Srinagar to facilitate free-and-fair Assembly elections in the state.
Sources said this was one of the several measures contemplated by the Centre to ensure greater participation of separatist and secessionist groups in the October Assembly elections in the strife-torn state.
Another important step being contemplated by the Centre is the imposition of Governor’s rule in the state before the poll.
The separatist leaders will find it difficult to justify their stand of boycotting the elections once the Centre begins implementing its plans.
The move will also satisfy many political parties, including Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s People’s Democratic Party, Prof Bhim Singh’s Panthers Party, the Jammu and Kashmir units of the BJP, Congress and Janata Dal (United), which have been demanding the imposition of Central rule in the state ahead of the poll.
It is learnt that the Centre is in touch with the ruling National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir to persuade it to accept the government’s decision for the imposition of Governor’s rule in the state.
Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, who is in London, may be inducted into the Vajpayee-led NDA ministry. This would leave Mr Omar Abdullah, Minister of State for External Affairs and newly-appointed NC President, a strong contender for the Chief Minister’s office.
