The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not throwing any hints to re-align with the BJP in immediate future as party chief Mehbooba Mufti is underlining "political and economic complexities of the State" more prominently than the governance initiatives.
Mehbooba returned to Kashmir after spending a few days in New Delhi, first time after the death of her father Mufti Muhammad Sayeed on January 7. She maintains that her stay in national Capital was in connection with her duties as lok Sabha member from south Kashmir.
Mehbooba initiated membership drive for her party last week in Srinagar. On Sunday, she traveled to her native district Anantnag known as pocket borough of her party, to continue the drive. The initiative is seen as Mehbooba's newest effort to reconnect with her cadre to discuss the issues that hold her from taking over the top seat in Jammu and Kashmir.
The State is under Governor's Rule since January 8. The Central rule was implemented after Ms Mufti refused to take oath following her father's demise.
"Jammu and Kashmir is not about governance alone, the State is entangled in assorted political and economic complexities both on internal and external fronts, which need to be tackled with resolve through holistic measures to ensure sustainable peace and stability in the State," Mehbooba said in Anantnag.
"While on J&K's internal front there are issues of systemic political and economic disempowerment, security concerns, mounting alienation, sense of deprivation, wanton exploitation of State's natural resources, unemployment, social issues and unaccountability, on the external front there are issues with Pakistan," she said and added that no Government in J&K would succeed or make a mark unless a holistic approach is adopted by the Centre and the State Government to address all these issues with a concerted effort and with tangible measures.
"If we really want to turnaround the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, we will have to not only involve Pakistan in a sustained dialogue but at the same time take some bold political and economic initiatives on the internal front to address the concerns of the State's people and do away with the past injustices done with them," she said.