The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delayed its much-awaited meeting of legislators and leaders to deliberate on the possibility of forming the coalition Government with its alliance partner BJP. Even as the leaders met and held informal discussions at party president Mehbooba Mufti’s official residence on Friday evening, a duel between two former Ministers spoiled mood and misdirected the deliberations.
The party leaders on Friday held a prayer meeting at the burial place of late Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed in Bijbehara town of south Kashmir. After arriving back in Srinagar they gathered at Mufti’s residence for discussions over dinner.
Sources said that MP Muzaffar Hussain Beigh, who has been critical of the PDP-BJP alliance, picked up some weak points and obliquely blamed that the deal with BJP was not on a strong ground. He was, however, confronted by former Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu. The two leaders were pacified by a Mehbooba Mufti and other seniors.
The party leaders, however, reposed faith in Mehbooba Mufti and asked her to take any decision on their behalf. The formal meeting is likely to be held on Sunday.
Earlier, speaking to mediapersons, senior leader and former Minister Naeem Akhtar said that the party would convene a meeting of party legislators and leaders in the coming days and take a call over formation of the Government in Jammu & Kashmir.
He said the party is committed to take forward the agenda of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed but maintained that decision on the formation of new Government has not been taken.
The PDP has hinted that it wants assurances for expediting developmental works in the embattled State. On Thursday, a top official in the Central Finance Ministry called upon Mehbooba Mufti at her residence to assure that the economic package sanctioned by the Central Government and announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Srinagar in November last, would be processed without delay.
The Union Expenditure Secretary RP Wattal’s meeting with Ms Mufti is seen as Center’s attempt to convey to the reluctant PDP that the State would be taken care of as per the commitments of the Central Government.
Akhtar had said that the party would review the progress of development during the past 10 months of coalition’s rule under Mufti Muhammad Sayeed. He complained that J&K did not get share in developing smart cities nor did any process start to handover the power projects to the State.
A section of party leadership is against reviving tie-up with BJP. Senior leader and MP Tariq Hameed Qarra wrote to the party president Mehbooba Mufti asking her to review the pros and cons of the alliance. He suggested break-up with the BJP to align with “secular parties like the Congress”.
However, Akhtar said the party leadership was still mourning the death of Mufti Sayeed and no meeting has been convened to discuss the political matters.
“We are all mourning the death of our leader and party has not yet talked on Government formation. All the party members and Mehbooba Ji will talk shortly and proper decision will be taken,” he said.
He added, “Once the meeting is held, everything will be clear. Media will first come to know about the decision that will be taken in the meeting.”
Meanwhile, main opposition National Conference chief spokesperson Agha Ruhullah asked the PDP to clear air on whether it wants to rule the State. “The PDP must start delivering on its political and economic promises that were made both ahead of the elections and also in the Agenda of the Alliance or it must break its alliance with BJP”, Ruhullah said.