Rashid, Tarigami, Yasin to support any non-BJP govt

smah Malik

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 26

Amid the deadlock among key political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference (NC), over government formation, three MLAs — Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami, Hakim Muhammad Yasin and Engineer Rashid — have offered to support any secular government.

President of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) and MLA from Langate Engineer Rashid said today that the three MLAs had resolved to support any non-BJP government.

“We are committed to support any secular government, including a PDP-NC alliance, to keep the BJP out of power in the state. We will go as per the wishes of voters who elected us,” Engineer Rashid said.

He also offered to mediate between arch rivals NC and PDP for formation of an alliance to keep the BJP at bay.

“If Omar Abdullah has hinted at backing the PDP, I think Mufti Sahab should also respond positively. It is high time that the NC and PDP shed their egos and talk. They should forego their differences for once so that communal forces do not take over this state,” he added.

State general secretary of the CPM and MLA, Kulgam, Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami said all efforts should be made to resist the inclusion of BJP in the government.

“It is imperative that a secular government is formed in J&K and the secular forces should rise to the occasion keeping in mind the larger interests of the unity and integrity of our country,” Tarigami said.

Peoples Democratic Front president and MLA Khansahib Hakim Mohammad Yasin denied reports of his unconditional support to the BJP and said he would only support the government which was in the interests of Kashmiri voters.