People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti broke down as she met party lawmakers on Sunday evening after a four-day mourning for her father and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed ended.
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“Governor’s rule has been imposed in the state of Jammu and Kashmir”, a Home Ministry spokesperson said in Delhi.
Sharma said it was a “historic” coalition between the BJP and the PDP in the state and “we would like it continue”.
“Nobody can even remotely suggest to her that she break her mourning and be sworn in (as the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister)”. However, Mehbooba is tipped to become the first woman Chief Minister in J&K after her party legislators unanimously elected her as their leader in a meeting on Sunday.
For Mehbooba Mufti, her father’s chosen successor, and the PDP, the underwhelming turnout confirmed their worst fears of an eroding support base.
In the season of Chilla-i-Kalan – the 40 harshest days of the Kashmir winter when the snow strips the trees down to their bare barks and the water on the Dal freezes over – political uncertainty has generated an odd kind of unseasonal heat.
“Sonia Gandhi’s visit was just to offer prayer and condolence”. Significantly, BJP leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also visited Mehbooba soon after Gandhi.
“The terms of alliance already agreed to with the BJP high command by Mufti sahib will and should govern the remaining period of the alliance rule”, the former minister added. “It has been in the interest of the state and we want this to continue”, he said. “I have come here to convey condolences on behalf of the central government”, he told reporters.
Some experts say that this option has political drawbacks for Mehbooba Mufti as an administrator and will raise questions on her abilities to assume the state’s top post. But grief only partially explains her resolute refusal to take a hurried decision on government formation. We are in favour of continuing that arrangement for the larger benefit of the state. “They spurned that offer when we must it a year ago”, he said.
Both parties emphasised that no conditions have been put by either, with PDP saying the coalition will move forward on the basis of last year’s “Agenda of Alliance” which encompasses all issues – political and economic.
Madhav, who had called on the PDP leader last week at Srinagar, brushed aside the speculation over a souring of relations between the partners.
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However, the bonhomie between the two leaders and the concern shown by the Congress at this juncture is seen by the PDP as a welcome change and indications for future tie-ups if cracks develops between the PDP and the BJP alliance. They will need support of either Farooq-Omar Abdullah’s National conference or support of some Independents to form a government.
