Won’t give in to PDP pressure, indicates BJP

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 1

A day before PDP and BJP leaders meet Governor NN Vohra to clarify their stand on the formation of the government in Jammu and Kashmir, the saffron leadership today hardened its stance and decided to "not succumb to PDP pressure" for any deviation from the Common Minimum Programme — the document outlining objectives of the PDP-BJP government headed by late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

The decision was taken at a meeting of BJP's state and Central leaders, including party chief Amit Shah and general secretary Ram Madhav — the man credited for stitching the out-of-box arrangement that gave the saffron party its first government in the state.

"We will not succumb. Issues related to development of the state can be discussed, but there can be no compromise on Article 370 or AFSPA," a BJP source said. "The BJP wants the government to stay, but we will not be seen bowing down or compromising on our ideology to achieve that. There are major ideological differences between the BJP and the PDP. The CMP was formulated to find the common ground, the middle path between two parties. We want the PDP-BJP alliance to continue but as per the agreement," they add.

Sources say the BJP will not make the first move. "The move has to be made by the PDP. Let us see what Mehbooba tells the Governor and accordingly, we will formulate our stance. We are told that Mehbooba may seek some more time from the Governor," they say.