Top BJP leaders in Jammu & Kashmir expect “a communication” from the PDP on the Government formation by month end to end the political stalemate prevailing in the State following the passing away of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
“We hope that a communication may be forthcoming by month-end”, said well-placed sources in the Jammu & Kashmir BJP leadership.
They maintained that the BJP expected PDP to conclude their “internal consultations soon” and engage with them to resume process of development of the State as envisaged in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) which was worked out with the former Chief Minister.
Asked whether one of the PDP MPs may join the Central Cabinet, sources said it was for the PDP to decide but did not rule out its possibility “once process of Government is through in the State”.
On the cinematographer son of former CM Mufti Tassaduq joining the politics and the Cabinet, they said PDP has to decide on the candidate for Mehbooba Mufti’s Ananthnag lok Sabha seat if the latter assumes Chief Ministership.
BJP says there would be no change in the CMP as and when PDP joins hands with the BJP to form the Government.
Jammu & Kashmir was placed under Governor’s Rule in the beginning of this month as the process of new Government formation got delayed with no word coming from the PDP. Sayeed’s daughter Mehbooba Mufti refused to take oath during the mourning period though her party had already conveyed to the Governor that 28 MlAs of the PDP legislature party backed her for the CM’s post.
It is maintained that the PDP was delaying its move only to send “signals” to its “core constituency” in the valley that it was “not all that in rush to be with the BJP”. “The PDP has to resolve it internal dynamics”, they said pointing out that Mufti was the one who had crafted BJP-PDP alliance with the BJP leaders. Mufti had assumed office of Chief Minister in the PDP-BJP Government on March 1, 2015.
Sources in the BJP dismissed any laxity in flood relief to the State saying “this time round the money went straight to the accounts and not in hand...” They also ruled out that BJP agreeing to a review of AFPSA effective in the State.