This announcement puts an end to the suspense over whether Mehbooba has agreed to be sworn in as the next chief minister to head the PDP-BJP coalition government.
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Consequent to Sayeed’s death, “the process to form a new government had commenced and intimations were still awaited as to the respective positions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)”. Both PDP and BJP have dismissed any rethinking on the mutual alliance. Here is a daughter, who lost her father who was her guide, mentor and everything. Mehboobaji has always been unrelenting in her approach to politics.
Gandhi’s flying into here to meet Mehbooba assumes significance as there are reports that PDP and BJP are bargaining afresh over the formation of a new government. With the mourning period over on Sunday, the BJP expects political discussion within PDP to start now following which it will respond accordingly, he said. “Dad is in the party meeting this time”, the caller from the other end said, identifying himself as Sat Sharma’s son.
Mehbooba also visited her father’s grave on Sunday, where she was seen breaking down.
“No disputes between BJP and PDP, Both alliance partners will join hands soon”, PDP’s Dr Mehboob Beigh was quoted by India Today as saying.
Ms. Gandhi’s visit came a day after the Centre announced that the state was brought under Governor’s Rule with effect from January 8.
The former Jammu and Kashmir Bank Chairman, Drabu, also drew flak after he failed to act against his PRO, who assaulted a government employee in his constituency in November past year.
The state’s top bureaucrats, including the chief secretary and the principal secretary to the chief minister, were also told the same thing when they called on her Friday. “They spurned that offer when we must it a year ago”, he said.
She was with Ms. Mufti for about 20 minutes and their interaction promptly gave rise to speculation about the political significance of their meeting.
The four-day mourning period would last till January 10.
The coalition partners clashed over a range of issues: prompted by the local RSS unit, a proactive BJP divided the State on the issue of beef, on flying the Jammu and Kashmir flag along with the Tricolour, and the release of Kashmiri separatist Masarat Alam.
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“Once Mehbooba Mufti finishes her mourning, she will lead us and take her father’s mission forward”, PDP’s chief spokesperson Mirza Mehboob Beg said. BJP has 25 MLAs in the 87-member Assembly while Congress has 12 and National Conference has 15. Last time it took two months to decide upon governmentformation.
