Sayeed represented a brand of politics that was genteel in a state torn by terrorism. As he would often say, ‘I belong to the Nehru era’ when statesmanship took precedence over mass leadership. Sayeed had steered the state through a delicate phase and forged the most unexpected relation with the BJP to form a unity government. A lesser man would have wrecked the government and the State. His daughter is a fiery leader who built the party on the ground while Sayeed guided it from the drawing room. The challenges before Mehbooba are many. Apart from keeping the government “ which jointly represents nearly the whole state and two warring communities, together, she will has the difficult task of dealing with a revival of militancy when Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended a hand of friendship to Pakistan and a host of other problems including the
dispute over flying the state flag side by side the national flag.
The future of Jammu and Kashmir lies with the Sayeed brand
of politics and Mehbooba would do well to continue with her
father’s legacy.
