Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Monday said it is not mandatory for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti to follow her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s footsteps and become the next Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
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While the BJP has been urging the PDP to complete the formalities of government formation, the PDP, for the first time since Mufti’s death, has clarified that it is not setting any more pre-conditions for the alliance to continue in the State. Despite difference of views, I suggest Mehbooba Mufti, she being an undisputed leader of the party, that at this time that she can think on new lines and start a new beginning for the party. “And not only has it damaged Kashmir, but also the PDP”, Karra said.
As constitutional experts keep arguing whether the absence of a government in Jammu and Kashmir is a constitutional crisis or not, for Mehbooba Mufti, politics comes much after the love and respect has for her father.
On Friday, Vohra had asked both PDP and BJP to convey their stand on the government formation.
In Jammu, a Raj Bhavan spokesman said: “After reaching concurrence from the president of India, Governor NN Vohra issued a notification today (Saturday) to impose Governor’s Rule in the state”.
While PDP’s ruling partner BJP have shown willingness to continue with the alliance, stitched a year ago after months of political consultations based on ‘Agenda of Alliance, ‘ the PDP is yet to respond to the BJP’s offer.
The PDP and Congress can’t form a government on their own even if they decide to come together. They argue that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had a long association with Congress dating back to 1960s so much so that former prime minister Indira Gandhi had visited Muftis at their ancestral house in Bijbehara indicating the relations between the two families.
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi with PDP president Mehbooba Mufti (right). By landing at Mehbooba’s residence in an hour of grief and mourning, Sonia has renewed her personal engagements with the former.
“We will try to fulfill all the assurances given to him on Jammu and Kashmir”, the minister said.
While Mufti’s daughter had already made it clear that none of the circumstances of BJP can be accepted to take care of the alliance in the Valley.
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The PDP leader said he believes the idea of grand alliance floated during government formation talks past year is still relevant to defeat communal forces. But some in the PDP are said to be unhappy with the tie-up and want Mehbooba, who is likely to be her party’s chief ministerial candidate, to review it.
