Mufti Sayeed proposes 'grand coalition', NC reiterates verbal support to PDP
Srinagar: As BJP and the People's Democratic Party are holding talks on government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, the latter has reportedly suggested to take also Congress along to form a ‘grand coalition’ which, its patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed believes, can address all vital issues confronting the state’s three distant regions “more aptly and more efficiently.”
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports said Governor, N.N. Vohra has asked PDP and BJP to give plan for government formation by Saturday. In another significant development, outgoing Chief Minister and National Conference working president, Omar Abdullah, has said his party has offered support to the PDP for government formation but not given any written commitment.
"Looks like PDP is playing mind games with the BJP (by) leaking about a letter of (NC) support that doesn't exist," Mr. Abdullah wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter. He added, “Only a verbal offer conveyed.”
Mufti’s bid, party sources said, is based on the fact that all the 25 MLAs of the BJP have been elected from Jammu region in the just concluded Assembly elections whereas the PDP and the Congress have comparatively performed better in Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, respectively, than elsewhere.
He has also proposed three regional councils for Ladakh, Kashmir Valley and Jammu which will run the local routine and day-to-day administrative affairs whereas the ‘grand coalition’ government will attend bigger issues the state as a whole is or may be faced with and, in due course, work towards consensus-building on the fundamental issue of Kashmir, the sources said.
Read: J-K polls: BJP holding consultation with all important stakeholders, says Ram Madhav
The ‘grand coalition’ and regional councils, he has reportedly argued, would also help towards defusing existing tensions and cementing relations between the three regions.
BJP general secretary Ram Madhav who is camping in Srinagar has had two rounds of talks with PDP vice president and MP from Baramulla Muzaffar Hussain Baig. The first round of talks was held at Mr. Baig's residence here and the second round at a nearby City hotel where Madhav is staying.
PDP spokesperson Samir Koul endorsed Madhav assertion that talks are still at initial stage and that it will take some time before any announcements are made. “Talks are going on with BJP over government-formation in the state but we are still at infancy stage. It will take some time before we can make any announcements,” he said. Asked if PDP would agree to rotational chief ministership with BJP, Koul said "not at this moment”.
