Neeraj Rohmetra
JAMMU, Dec 31: Emerging from one hour long meeting with Governor, N N Vohra, PDP President, Mehbooba Mufti today dropped sufficient hints that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was the ‘preferred’ alliance partner and her party wasn’t averse to joining hands with the saffron party for any future dispensation of the State.
Though Ms Mufti refused to share what transpired in her meeting with the Governor, reliable sources indicated that the PDP leadership discussed the various options being explored by the party, which has emerged as the single largest player with 28 seats in the 87-member Assembly.
Invoking the spirit of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi, she said, “my party wasn’t averse to discussion discussions on Government formation with BJP”.
Referring to the undisputed leadership of Vajpayee ji at least five times in her 10 minutes interaction with media, the PDP leaders said, “we need to follow the footsteps of Vajpayee ji, who initiated a political process and agreed to resolve the Kashmir issue on the basis of Insaniyat”, adding, “the former Prime Minister had started the political process and agreed to have ceasefire with Pakistan. His colleague former Deputy Prime Minister, L K Advani also held unconditional dialogue process with separatists and opened all channels of communication to resolve the vexed issue”.
Showering praise over the then NDA Government at the Centre, she said, “liberal funding was provided and the Central leadership also generously provided economic packages for the welfare of State, which has limited resources”.
Interestingly, the PDP President was also critical of the Manmohan Singh led UPA Government at the Centre and categorically said, “the political process initiated by NDA in consultation with the Mufti-led Government in the State took back seat after the change of the political dispensation at the Central level”.
“Congress and NC in spite of having comfortable majority in the Assembly and being part of the UPA at the Centre as well failed to push any of the components of the Vajpayee initiative for six year but the PDP’s idea of forming a Government revolved around carrying forwards its mission of peace, reconciliation and development”.
While referring to the Modi’s development agenda, the PDP leader said, “we can’t have development without peaceful atmosphere on ground. The mandate offers a big responsibility for the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi as Jammu and Kashmir has been the biggest challenge for any Prime Minister from Nehru till date”.
Refusing to divulge details of her interaction with Governor, she said, “PDP’s priority isn’t to cobble up majority for Government formation”.
Quoting media reports, Ms Mufti said, “PDP has support of 55 MLAs, which were sufficient for crossing the magic figure. The issue isn’t Government formation as same can be done in 10 minutes but the mandate has to be respected”. However, she refused to provide the details of the political parties, who have offered her support.
Political pundits however stated that the PDP leader was referring to the unconditional support offered by Congress (12) and National Conference (15). When they are combined with strength of PDP (28), the figure accumulates to 55, the number referred by Ms Mufti.
Even today, National Conference and Congress leaders have re-iterated their support to PDP for forming the “grand alliance”, if the latter decides to head the new political dispensation at the State.
“If forming the Government and assuming power had been the only objective of PDP, we would have done it within hours”, she said adding “but our concern is to constitute a stable and effective Government that is able to meet the serious challenges faced by the State”. “While the uncertainty over the delay in Government formation is understandable but we believe it is time for the national leadership especially the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, to reach out to the people of State, who have voted in such large numbers in the hope to bring about a change in governance, ending the political uncertainty in the State”.
While talking about the opportunity provided by the “decisive and divided” mandate, the PDP President said, “both NDA And Congress leadership should take responsibility and take decisions while keeping the interests of State uppermost in mind”.
Senior leaders of BJP, which has emerged as single largest party in the State with 25 MLAs also welcomed the views aired by the PDP leaders and hoped it would clear the way for new political dispensation in the State.
Welcoming the remarks of the PDP leader, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav said, “we appreciate the views expressed by Mehbooba Mufti and await formal initiation of dialogue”, adding “an initial contact has been established between the two parties and her comments will take forward the formal discussion”.
Viewing Mehbooba’s talk today as a “positive gesture”, he said it will take some more time for BJP to hold formal talks for Government-formation.
Madhav said “any arrangement that excludes BJP will be seen as negating the mandate given by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Asked about the issue of rotational Chief Minister with PDP, he said “it is premature” as talks have not reached that far.
On other contentious issues that are expected to crop up between BJP and PDP, he said “to find an amicable arrangement is not impossible. What will be the structure and shape, we will have to wait and see.”
Sources said BJP is hopeful of a “positive outcome” after today’s initiative by PDP but leaders said the party has its own expectations and roadmap for the State that will be discussed with parties before aligning with them for Government formation.
Pertinent to mention here that Mr Madhav has been the front-man of the BJP for making efforts for new political dispensation in the State and held interaction with leaders across the political spectrum in Kashmir. He had also detailed interaction with senior PDP leader and former Deputy Minister, Muzzafar Hussain Beig and the unofficial ally of People’s Conference chief, Sajjad Lone.
Meanwhile, JKPCC (I) chief, Saif-ud-Din Soz also held parleys with the State Governor, N N Vohra and discussed in details the existing political scenario in the State.
An official spokesman of Raj Bhawan Said, “Prof Soz informed the Governor about his party’s position in regard to formation of the new Government.”
PCC chief, Saif-ud-Din Soz said after his meeting with Governor N N Vohra here today said, “People’s Democratic party must take a lead in the Government formation in Jammu and Kashmir as it has emerged as the largest party in the Assembly. In my opinion, the first step on the Government formation should be taken by the PDP which has emerged as the largest party in the Jammu and Kashmir legislative Assembly,”
“After the PDP takes the first step, Congress will also explain its position to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Soz said adding that the State was going through a difficult phase and caution should be taken by parties on the issue related to the formation of the Government.
“These are very difficult times and one has to be cautious particular on the subject of Government formation,” he said.
Soz expressed hope that his party would be a part of the next Government in the State.
“Congress has 12 members and we have like-minded persons in the system as well”, Soz said adding that he met the Governor to discuss the socio-economic developments in Jammu and Kashmir.
“I called on the Governor today. We discussed the range of subjects on socio and economic development in the Jammu and Kashmir State,” Soz said. However, the Congress leader said he did not discuss the issue of Government formation with the Governor.
When asked to comment on the idea of “grand alliance” propounded by senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, Soz said, “You should ask Azad sahib about this.”
On the issue of Hindu Chief Minister in the State, Soz said the legislative members would resolve the issue of Chief Minister.
“Let the legislatures decide about the Chief Minister, religion of the Chief Minister is not the criteria as nobody is forbidden from becoming the Chief Minister in the State. The issue has to be decided by the legislatures,” Soz said.
Meanwhile, a delegation of senior party leaders of BJP led by State President, Jugal Kishore will meet the State Governor tomorrow and discuss with him their party’s plan over Government formation.
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