State your intentions clearly, Omar Abdullah tells Mehbooba Mufti on govt formation

Jammu, February 7

Mehbooba Mufti must state her intentions clearly or call for snap polls, National Conference Working President Omar Abdullah said on Sunday, as the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) keeps the state hanging on government formation in the state.

PDP president "Mehbooba Mufti has been quiet for long and she can no longer remain silent. She must clarify her stand on two-three issues and clear the air as to what are those CBMs and how long she will wait for those Confidence Building Measures and why did the need of CBMs suddenly arise after the demise of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function.

The former chief minister however ruled out an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form the state government, 

"The agreement as far as our knowledge is concerned, the alliance (between BJP and PDP) still exists. We haven't heard either from BJP or PDP that alliance has been broken, so the alliance exists and if the alliance exists, then why not government (is formed)?

"Agenda of the alliance was formed and Mufti sahab was made chief minister. What has changed in the past ten months that today even though they have numbers in the assembly they are not ready to form the government?” he said.

"We will go back to the people, but I am unable to understand the way of their leadership. They ask for Confidence Building Measures, but I am not sure that within the party people know or not, but outside nobody knows what they have asked for," he said.

He also wanted to know what the confidence building measures the PDP wanted.

”"Even BJP has said that please clearly tell us what you are asking for. So we also want to know what are the CBMs which Mehbooba Mufti is asking for, and did set aa deadline?" Omar said.

The state has been under Governor’s Rule since January 8 after Former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed’s death. — PTI