THE LATEST TRENDS in the results of the recent J&K state assembly elections show that out of the 90 seats in the state assembly, the National Conference-Congress alliance is leading in 52 seats, while the BJP is leading in 27.
These figures make it almost certain that there will be a NC-Congress alliance in power in the state. But will this benefit the people of the state?
The test of every political activity or political system is simple: does it raise the standard of living of the people? Does it give them better lives? From this standpoint, I do not see how the results of the elections will benefit the people of J&K. Poverty, unemployment, lack of proper healthcare, and good education, and other socio-economic evils will continue as before.
The National Conference was in power in J&K for several decades. It is well known that its leaders were highly corrupt and looted the state, siphoning off a huge amount of money abroad (similar to Nawaz Sharif’s PMLN party and Asif Zardari’s PPP in Pakistan).
Can a leopard change its spots? Since it will be a coalition government, the first thing that will happen will be a mad scramble for lucrative portfolios.
Prime Minister Modi has announced that he will restore the status of a state of J&K, but not restore Article 370.
However, how does it matter to the common man whether J&K is a state or union territory? Will his standard of living rise if J&K is declared a state? Similarly, how does it matter to the common man whether Article 370 is retained or abolished? Will he get a better life if Article 370 is restored?
I submit that it is wholly irrelevant to the common man or woman of J&K whether Article 370 is restored or not, and whether J&K is a state or a union territory, because in either eventuality, it would make no difference to their life.
What one can be reasonably certain about is that corruption and loot will increase exponentially in J&K after these elections.
The newly elected MLAs, who must have spent a huge amount of money in their elections, will naturally like to recover their investment with interest (politics in India, after all, being a business). They would also like to collect a huge amount of money for the next elections.
This would be apart from the money they would want in setting up or expanding a business, and the money they would want for other purposes, such as building a palatial house, buying a big imported car, buying jewelry for their wives and daughters, etc., and saving for the rainy day. 
Markandey Katju
Justice Markandey Katju is former Judge, Supreme Court of India and former Chairman, Press Council of India.
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