Do not have numbers to form govt: BJP

Vikram Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 15

In charge of the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir Avinash Rai Khanna has said that since the party did not have the numbers to form the government, it was not in any kind of hurry.

Though he did not deny looking for a suitable arrangement, he said the party’s priority was to establish peace in the state before any decision on the government formation could be taken.

“It is also wrong that the BJP is in any horse-trading. We haven’t even done this in the past. If the PDP is breaking, it is its own problem. We are not in any sort of diplomatic alignment with the break-up MLAs,” said Khanna.

Taking a dig at former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for her statement on birth of more Salahuddins if PDP splits, Khanna said: “This speaks of her nature and intentions. This only led to the breakup of the coalition. Soldiers were getting killed and the media was attacked while she could not handle the situation.”

Khanna was also critical of Mehbooba Mufti, saying that she being the head of the government in the coalition did not bother to take her ministers into confidence and ignored them, leading to impediments in the developmental works in Jammu.

“Though we were in the coalition, she was the head of the government who should have taken balanced decisions but she failed. Out of the government, now in her rhetoric, she is speaking her mind,” Khanna said, adding that remaining with her in the government was making a political dent on the BJP.

The BJP state in charge, who is in Jammu, said for the upcoming parliamentary elections, the party had assigned various works which were being taken up at the block and mandal levels.

“We can’t say anything about the Assembly elections of the state in the present scenario, but the parliamentary elections are due on time and the BJP is expanding its domain in the far-off reaches in the Kashmir valley with good reciprocation,” said Khanna.

Raina apprises PM of situation

State BJP president Ravinder Raina, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi recently, said he had apprised the PM of the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the pace of developmental works being executed under the Governor rule.

“All political parties should learn from the Governor how to run the governance. Since the Governor rule began in Jammu and Kashmir on June 19, many held-up works have been started. The BJP is all praise for Governor NN Vohra and expect peace and tranquillity to return soon to the state under his dynamic leadership,” said Raina.

He denied having discussed government formation with the Prime Minister and said the prime focus of the party was to establish peace in the Valley and bring all developmental works back on track.

“At present, the Governor rule is the best alternative and under it, J&K is likely to usher in a new era,” said Raina.