He also told ANI, “The day Mehbooba Mufti is out of grief, she’ll head government to take her father’s mission ahead”.
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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today sought to end the uncertainty that has cast a shadow over its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jammu and Kashmir after passing away of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. “Dad is in the party meeting this time”, the caller from the other end said, identifying himself as Sat Sharma’s son. But those were not options that he exercised. A section of PDP had been reluctant to partner with BJP but had gone along with the decision of Sayeed.
The PDP chief spokesperson said coalition will continue on the agenda already sorted out by the leadership of both the parties. Simultaneously, the Centre failed to help the State with the funds that it needed for rehabilitation after the 2014 floods.
Former Finance Minister in Mufti Sayeed’s cabinet, Haseeb A Drabu, who was also one of the close aides, hasn’t been able to retain his “image’ in the party”, after he was given a prominent responsibility in the state cabinet.
“In the present situation, when there is high sentiment here against the BJP-RSS, the need is to form a government headed by Mehbooba with support and in alliance with secular forces particularly Congress”, said the MP from Srinagar in a statement here. This is clearly something Ms. Mufti will not do. Noting that in 2002 he had committed to provide a “healing touch” as Chief Minister, she said, “Mufti Saheb cut across party boundaries”.
Asked about Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s meeting with Mehbooba, which has fuelled political speculation, Madhav quipped, “What transpired (between them) I do not know but I am tempted to believe that it was to express condolence”.
“She also feels a sort of betrayal or call it a sense of letting down because the vision of all inclusive development envisioned by the late chief minister did not move beyond promises and words”, the confidante added.
“It’s up to the PDP to initiate the process of formation of a new government in the state”, he had added. For by doing so, she would raise false hopes among her supporters that she might actually break with the BJP, something she can not do at this juncture.
“I have been saying from the last nine months that RSS-BJP is not acceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir”.
BJP leader and Dy. Gandhi’s flying into Srinagar to meet Mehbooba assumes significance as there are reports that PDP and BJP are bargaining afresh over the formation of a new government.
Ms. Mufti clearly finds herself between a rock and a hard place.
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For the 3rd time Gov(ernor) Vohra takes over the reigns of J&K.
