Government formation wait continues in Jammu and Kashmir; People Democratic Party hints alliance with BJP on

SRINAGAR: People Democratic Party on Sunday gave clear indications that they would continue the alliance with BJP without any conditions in Jammu and Kashmir, however, suspense over government formation continues.

The party has authorised its president Mehbooba Mufti to take final decision on government formation and she would be holding deliberations with ally BJP in coming days. BJP has maintained that they have no problems with PDP and were waiting for alliance partner’s decision on government formation.

On Sunday, Mehbooba chaired a five-hour core group meeting of the PDP. Former ministers and two senior parliamentarians, Muzzaffar Baig and Tariq Karra, attended the meeting at her Fairview residence in Srinagar.

Mehbooba, during her speech, has stated that her father and late CM Mufti Sayeed was her guide and she would follow his vision, keeping in view interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “There are no conditions (for government formation) but good-faith implementation of the Agenda of Alliance. There are no timelines and the party has authorised Mehbooba Mufti to take the final call,” PDP leader and former minister Naem Akhtar told reporters.

The PDP, after the death of Mufti Sayeed on January 7, had stated that it would review the Agenda of Alliance and see how much of it was implemented by the 10-month-old PDP-BJP government.




“Agenda of Alliance was part of Mufti Sayeed’s vision and we had made a lot of progress on it under his leadership. We also want to implement his vision. Mehbooba Mufti will take a call, how best to do it,” Akhtar added.

According to sources, after PDP’s initial hard posturing, senior BJP leadership in New Delhi came into action and contacted Mehbooba to diffuse any possible crisis between the partners in the state.

“It was a moment of glory for Mufti Sayeed when he was monitoring on deathbed the visit of the PM of our country, Narendra Modi, to Lahore. It was perhaps the happiest day of Mufti’s life,” said Akhtar, adding: “The core idea of Mufti Sayeed’s political vision was friendship between India Pakistan.”

Mehbooba welcomed the continuation of dialogue between India and Pakistan, stating that the leadership of both countries showed maturity. “This is the greatest and best tribute to Mufti Sayeed,” Mehbooba was quoted as saying in the meeting.