The fractious Bharatiya Janata Party and People’s Democratic Party alliance in Jammu and Kashmir came to an end on Tuesday, three years after the two disparate parties banded together in light of a hung verdict in the 2014 Assembly elections. The BJP pulled out of the alliance saying it has become “untenable to continue”, plunging the state into political uncertainty. Mehbooba Mufti of the PDP has resigned as chief minister of the state and Governor’s Rule is likely to be imposed.
The ideologically divergent allies did not see eye to eye on various matters but things came to a head after the murder and alleged rape of an eight-year-old Muslim girl from the Bhakarwal nomadic community in Kathua in January. Some of the BJP’s leaders had come out in support of the rape accused in the case. This put the PDP in a spot, making it harder for the party to defend the alliance. The parties have also differed on how to tackle militancy and separatist demands in the state, most recently seen in their disparate stances on the ceasefire on anti-terror operations declared for the month of Ramzan. The decision to end the ceasfire reportedly upset the PDP.
On Twitter, news of the alliance’s end was greeted by a flurry of responses. While some social media users took the humorous route to unpack various facets of the break-up, others had a more cynical response. Many also came out in support of the BJP, while others blamed the saffron party for its policies in Kashmir. Still others held both responsible for the crisis in the state.
BJP during Demonetisation
— Abhishek Dhakre (@DhakreAbhishek) June 19, 2018
(Nov 2016 ) - Demonetisation has broken the back of terrorism.
BJP today ( 19 June 2018 ) - We have decided to pull out of the alliance because terrorism has increased in the valley.
BJP just exposed two of its failures.#BJPDumpsPDP #BhagodiBJP
Also:
— Dhruv Rathee (@dhruv_rathee) June 19, 2018
For 3 yrs, these liars kept telling us that Terrorism, violence is going down, DeMo destroyed the terrorists backbone.
Now, same liars are telling us that terrorism and violence has increased and that's the reason for breaking the alliance. #BJPdumpsPDP
The BJP outplayed Mehbooba. Everything else is an excuse.#BJPDumpsPDP
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) June 19, 2018
Sambit Patra addressing media on BJP-PDP issue.
— (Author) محمد شیر علی (@SamirAb67243667) June 19, 2018
He explained perfect reason behind breaking alliance with PDP. #BJPDumpsPDP@alamgirizvi @SheeIaS @geetv79@TheChaddiGang @Tharoorian_INCpic.twitter.com/54bJqSooMB
Neither PDP nor GDP, only my DP is under control. #BJPdumpsPDP
— Narendra Modi (@LolendraModi_) June 19, 2018
Twitter user @RoflGandhi, speculated that Mufti might now approach the National Conference’s Farooq Abdullah for a tie-up. Using a 2015 picture of Mufti presenting a shawl to BJP President Amit Shah to commemorate their alliance, @RoflGandhi’s Hindi tweet translates to, “Give the shawl back, have to give it to Abdullahiji”. Son and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah then weighed in.
Hahaha, Abdullah ji has a shawl & anyway who uses shawls in summer 😀 https://t.co/2dq2dujEhb
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) June 19, 2018
Several users also resurrected popular memes like the “distracted boyfriend” and the more recent Ghar Se Nikalte Hi meme that took Indian Twitter by storm, popularly used to capture a rapid turn of events or an abrupt volte-face.
#BJPDumpsPDP pic.twitter.com/y0ZmhWAjlA
— Attraversiamo !! (@i_upasana) June 19, 2018
Ghar se nikalte hi .. kuch door chalte hi !!! #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/MpMd5QXqJv
— Aye Himanसू ® (@4mlvodka) June 19, 2018
The unfailing support of BJP loyalists was pointed out by several Twitter users.
Life of a Bhakt
— Atul (@secular_arrow) June 19, 2018
3 years ago
BJP aligning with PDP
Bhakt :- Masterstroke by Modi ji
3 years later
After #BJPDumpsPDP
Bhakt :- Masterstroke by Modi ji😂😂😂
BJP’s alliance with PDP ~ Masterstroke by Modi Ji
— Siona Gogoi (@AtomicBlow) June 19, 2018
BJP Dumps PDP ~ Masterstroke by Modi Ji
Yeah so? My Masterstroke is my Masterstroke, None of your Masterstroke#BJPDumpsPDP