AMN /
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, today decided to continue alliance with its coalition partner BJP clearing the uncertainty over formation of new govt in Jammu & Kashmir. The Party held meeting of core group members, legislators, senior party functionaries, headed by PDP President Mehbooba Mufti today.
The meeting discussed overall political situation in the state in the backdrop of the demise of former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. This was the first formal meeting of the party since Mufti’s demise that led to the collapse of coalition government as the alliance partners PDP and BJP did not introduce Mufti’s substitute in stipulated time. This led to imposition of Governor’s rule in the state with effect from January 8.
The PDP decision all speculations to rest on the formation of new government and the continuation of PDP-BJP- tie-up in the state. Talking to media after five hour marathon meeting, PDP Chief spokesperson Naeem Akhtar said his party will form the new govt in alliance with the BJP without preconditions. He said for PDP the Agenda of Alliance framed under the leadership of Late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, was a sacred document to be followed.
Akhtar said some progress was made under Late Mufti’s tenure and Party would see implementation of developmental and political components of the Agenda in letter and spirit. PDP spokesperson also expressed his satisfaction over the India Pakistan fresh initiatives of friendship and building peace in the region inspite of hiccups like Pathankot attack.
He said revival of India Pakistan reconciliation commensurates with the vision of Mufti Sayeed and described the same as good omen for the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Though PDP did not specify the timeframe for govt formation, it has authorized the party chief to take the final call on the issue. This has paved way for Mehbooba to be the first woman chief minister of the State.
Earlier in the day, the National Conference, NC, leader and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today ruled out any tie up with BJP in government formation in Jammu and Kashmir. Omar wrote on his Facebook page, PDP is an ally of BJP, and NC is not obliged to rescue either PDP or BJP from the ensuing stalemate in their standing political alliance.
This comes even as his father and NC chief Farooq Abdullah retracted from his yesterday’s statement reportedly suggesting such a possibility. Speaking with reporters today, he called for dissolving the assembly and holding fresh elections, if the coalition partners PDP and BJP fail to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir.