NEW DELHI: Even as preparations have begun for the third in the series of round-table conferences on Jammu and Kashmir initiated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a crucial working group that was to have prepared aroadmap for future deliberations on Centre-State relations has reached an impasse.

During the three rounds of discussion so far, major political parties merely restated their public positions, showing no sign of flexibility needed to arrive at a common ground on the complex question of recasting the State's relationship with New Delhi, sources in the working group told The Hindu .

At the working group's March 29 meeting here, National Conference (NC) leader Abdul Rahim Rather stood by his party's controversial demand for wide-ranging autonomy, which was rejected by the Union Cabinet in 2000. Among other things, the NC's proposals would strip the Supreme Court of its jurisdiction in Jammu and Kashmir, and free the State from the supervisory authority of the Election Commission.

In stark contrast, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Arun Jaitley centred his presentation around the party's long-standing demand for abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution. Article 370 mandates that Parliament take the concurrence of the State Government for the application of laws other than those relating to defence, external affairs and communications.

Self-governance

During the second round of discussions held at Jammu on February 3, People's Democratic Party leader Muzaffar Baig put forward the PDP programme for self-governance, involving creation of new district and region-level elected bodies. While the PDP leader contrasted his party's plans with the NC's "maximalist position," his presentation said little on Centre-State relations.

Smaller political groups have, on their part, put forward a large variety of irreconcilable demands. Ladakh Member of Parliament Thupstan Chhewang called for detachment of Leh district from the State and grant of Union Territory status to it. Jammu-based groups, notably the Panther's Party, demanded greater protection for their region. Kashmir-based politicians were, for the most part, critical of these claims.

Chaired by the retired Supreme Court judge Saghir Ahmad, the working group on Centre-State relations was to have submitted its findings by November 2006. Four others — on economic development, rehabilitation of terrorism victims, trans-Line of Control issues and good governance — finished their work by December, when the third round-table conference was to have been held.

Protracted delays

However, the constitution of the Centre-State relations working group was retarded by fights over both its formation and leadership. While political parties locked horns over representation in the body, further delays were caused when the retired Supreme Court Chief Justice A.M. Ahmadi declined to chair it. The group's first meeting was held on December 12, 2006, a fortnight after its findings were to have been submitted.

In recent days, almost all major political forces have displayed impatience with the deadlock and called for a new round of dialogue. Both Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and his predecessor Mufti Mohammad Sayeed have, in a rare show of unanimity, asked the Prime Minister to convene the third round-table conference as soon as possible.

Flagging dialogue

Most politicians agree that the third roundtable will breathe life into the flagging dialogue process. Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami says, "Autonomy is a complex issue, and it could takes months or years for all the parties to arrive at consensus. We cannot allow the entire round-table dialogue to be held hostage to the discussion of a single working group."

New Delhi, however, is still divided on when to hold the third roundtable. Some policymakers have asked for time to persuade the secessionist All-Parties Hurriyat Conference to participate in the round-table dialogue, at least as an observer. Others, however, believe that fast tracking the dialogue will compel the APHC to join in multiparty discussions, or risk being marginalised as the process proceeds.

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