PDP awaits BJP reply to ‘alliance agenda’

SRINAGAR: Amid the continuous deadlock, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is the single largest party in the newly elected Assembly, is awaiting the response of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJPs) to the “agenda on alliance” forwarded before taking any call on government formation with it in Jammu and Kashmir.

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 28

Amid the continuous deadlock, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is the single largest party in the newly elected Assembly, is awaiting the response of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJPs) to the “agenda on alliance” forwarded before taking any call on government formation with it in Jammu and Kashmir.

Sources in the PDP said the “agenda on alliance” forwarded by the PDP comprises revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, strengthening of Article 370, soft borders to facilitate travel and trade, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as the Chief Minister and a six-year tenure for him.

“We have put forth a political and economic agenda. It is up to the BJP to decide. If it agrees, the coalition may take shape,” said a PDP insider privy to the developments. Party patron Mufti had been holding consultations with party leaders and legislators for the last five days.

He said party leaders, including Mufti, were of the opinion that the BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, could take bold steps on Kashmir unlike the Congress, which had been ousted from power at the Centre.

“It was Atal Bihari Vajapayee who took bold steps on Kashmir. Modi can be effective as well for peace in the state and the region,” said the PDP leader.

Party sources said it would be a political gamble for the Kashmir-centric party, especially Mufti, as any tie-up with the BJP could backfire, which party leaders understood.

Ramesh Arora, vice-president of the state unit of the BJP and in charge of Kashmir affairs, said consultations were taking place about government formation.

“The PDP has put forth its viewpoint and the BJP is holding consultations,” he said. BJP general secretary Ram Madhav would visit the state again to hold further consultations over government formation.

The PDP is yet to hold its Legislature Party meeting. Party president Mehbooba Mufti is likely to call on Governor NN Vohra on December 31.

The party is not likely to hold a meeting of its newly elected legislators till something concrete takes place on formation of a coalition.

Party legislators have been calling on Mufti at his fortified Fairview residence at Gupkar and giving him their personal feedback on a possible future alliance.

“Early government formation is not in sight,” said Naeem Akhtar, chief spokesman of the PDP. The party may call a meeting of its Political Affairs Committee once things became clear.