The BJP-PDP: Clash of Views or a Charade?

Newsclick interviewed Gautam Navlakha, Writer and Human Rights Activist to discuss the latest events in Jammu and Kashmir. According to Gautam, J&K is dependent on the Central government for maintenance of law and order as Ministry of Home Affairs and Defence controls much of it in the state. He says that the PDP alliance with BJP is to avoid the hostility from the central government (BJP). Gautam also discusses Article 370, AFSPA and release of political prisoners in the state. Separatist leader Masarat Alam’s release is only because all legal measures that could be taken against him by the central or state governments were exhausted. Both sides are fighting a shadow battle to please respective their constituencies, the reality is there is no way of keeping Masarat Alam behind bars without falling foul of the law.