Ever since the BJP-PDP government came to power in J&K, there has been a concerted effort by a section of the media and the entire spectrum of political parties, who call themselves secular, to torpedo the alliance. The present turmoil has to be seen in this context.
Within the PDP there was a section, not too keen on accepting the leadership of Ms Mehbooba Mufti after her father's demise. This segment tried to manipulate Ms Mehbooba, who often took a very aggressive stand on Kashmir, to lock horns with the Centre.
Mr Narendra Modi has been very understanding and the BJP has been more than accommodating to see that the experiment did not fail.
There were political differences, besides a basic ideological dichotomy. But the common minimum programme agreed on the development of the region, realizing aspirations of the people of J & K. If this alliance succeeds, it would see the state as a mainstream state on the top of Modi's development agenda.
Ms Mehbooba after meeting the prime minister on August 27 pleaded with her people to give her a chance. She identified Pakistan the agent provocateur.
She has a list of 400 persons, who instigate innocent youngsters to fight the army. This is a dangerous game the separatists are playing. The Centre has made it clear that within the framework of the constitution it is open to talks with anybody.
But here is a fundamental difference in the approach of the UPA and the NDA. Modi government is willing to accommodate and listen to all points of view but they will not be allowed to dictate terms. There won't be any compromise on the territorial integrity. Some will say land is not important but the people are. As far as the BJP is concerned, the land, the people, its enlightened past and history are the basis for any dialogue.
We have to understand that Jammu, Ladakh and a large part of Kashmir are free from trouble. Violence is confined to just four districts - Baramulla, Sopore, Srinagar and Anantnag. It is the Wahabi, Sunni elements who are trying to create an Islamic state.
We have to isolate the stone-pelters. They are not freedom-fighters. Most of them are misled youth, pawns in the hands of separatists, who are working into the hands of Pakistan. Mr Modi has brought the new dimension of Baluchistan, Giljit and PoK into the Kashmir cauldron.
Which is a fundamental departure from the past and India does not recognize Pakistan as a stakeholder for any solution on Kashmir. The priority is restoration of law and order. Mr Modi has always said there cannot be talks when the guns boom.
