BJP-PDP coalition govt plan ‘ready’; Mufti set to be CM

Dinesh Manhotra/ M Aamir Khan

Tribune News Service 

Jammu/Srinagar, January 28 

Political impasse over government formation in Jammu and Kashmir is likely to end very soon as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the BJP have almost finalised the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) to run the coalition regime. Both sides have reportedly agreed to PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed taking over as the next Chief Minister.

A day after both parties entered into an “undeclared” alliance for the Rajya Sabha elections, national general secretary of the BJP Ram Madhav confirmed that talks were going on smoothly with the PDP for forming the government. Interacting with mediapersons after attending a meeting of party MLAs, Madhav said both sides have made headway on important issues. 

On record, the BJP national general secretary refused to specify the deadline for government formation. Sources, however, revealed that at the meeting with party legislators Madhav said the government would be formed before February 9. Sources said the PDP and the BJP have arrived at a consensus on most issues pertaining to the CMP. “Talks are being held to settle contentious issues such as revocation of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), granting citizenship rights to West Pakistani refugees and Article 370”, a source quoting Ram Madhav said. 

“Both parties have reached to a conclusion that all controversial issues should be put on backburner to run the coalition government in J&K,” sources said. They said within a week’s time, both parties would  start a “structured dialogue”.  In Srinagar, BJP’s state general secretary Ashok Koul said talks with the PDP were at the final stage. “The deal (over alliance) would be sealed in the next few days,” he said. When asked if the BJP and the PDP have finally decided to form the next government, he said it was “evident” as both parties have fielded only two candidates each for the four Rajya Sabha seats. Koul said the BJP had no problems with starting a dialogue process with Pakistan. “But Pakistan has to mend its ways first,” he added. Regarding the PDP’s demand of abrogation of the controversial AFSPA, Koul said the BJP had stated it cannot be done till there was as an improvement in overall situation. 

Leaders call on Guv Vohra

Ram Madhav, national general secretary of BJP, accompanied by Jugal Kishore, state BJP chief, called on Governor NN Vohra on Wednesday. A Raj Bhawan spokesperson said Madhav told the Governor about the status of the ongoing discussion between the BJP and the PDP over government formation. PDP MLA from Rajpora Dr Haseeb Drabu also met the Governor and apprised him of the details emerging out of meetings between the leaders of the two parties.