PDP authorises Mehbooba Mufti to decide government formation

SRINAGAR/JAMMU: In the first definitive move towards formation of a new government in Jammu and Kashmir after several days of uncertainty, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti was today authorised to take a final call in the matter amid indications that the party is likely to maintain its ruling coalition with the BJP.

The decision authorising Mehbooba was taken by the 'extended core group' of PDP at a marathon five-hour meeting in Srinagar which was the first formal parleys she had on government formation within the party after playing the guessing game ever since the sudden death of her father and then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on January 7.

PDP leader Naeem Akhtar said the party has not set any conditions for government formation with the BJP, but refused to set any deadline for it to take shape. "No conditions on part of the PDP," he told reporters. Asked how soon will the government be formed, he said "no timeline."

As the impasse entered the 10th day today, state BJP leader and former deputy CM Nirmal Singh hoped the alliance would continue and said his party has no objection over Mehbooba succeeding her father. The state is currently under Governor's rule.

"On government formation, the party feels that the agenda of alliance is a sacred document for us and there has been much progress on that under (Mufti Mohammed) Sayeed.

"The core group has authorized party president Mehbooba to take whatever decision on it (government formation)," Akhtar said.

He said the focus is on the agenda of alliance, which has been part of Mufti sahib's vision. "The most important point in the vision of Mufti Sahib was reconciliation between India and Pakistan."

Akhtar, a trusted aide of Mufti Sayeed, said the party welcomed the Prime Minister's Lahore visit last month and the maturity shown by the Centre in the wake of Pathankot attack.

Opposition National Conference patron Farooq Abdullah said if PDP and BJP cannot solve the problems of people the assembly must be dissolved and fresh polls held, a view shared by his son Omar Abdullah. "Enough is enough. If you can't rise to the occasion end the coalition & lets go back to the people again," said Omar, a former chief minister.

Speculation of a political realignment in the state also swirled after Congress President Sonia Gandhi's visit to Kashmir to offer her condolences to Mehbooba and Farooq saying yesterday his party is ready to consider a tie-up with BJP for government formation if such an offer is received.

Farooq retracted his statement today, claiming he had never said that his party was going with BJP. Omar also ruled out any tie up with BJP.