Srinagar/New Delhi: Amid suspense over government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP on Monday put the ball in PDP's court saying the Mehbooba Mufti-led party has to take the first call and made it clear that it wanted the existing power-sharing arrangement between the two parties to continue.
BJP general secretary Ram Madhav also rejected as “mere speculation” the reports that both parties have put up fresh conditions and asserted that no political discussion had started between them as Mehbooba was in deep mourning following her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s death last week.
Asked about the uncertainty, he said, “PDP can answer this question. They have to think about the process they have to complete from their side. It is for PDP to take the first call from their side. They have to decide about their leader and come forward. I hope they take a decision soon so that this uncertainty ends.”
To a query that if BJP expected a smooth takeover by a new PDP-BJP government, he said, “I am tempted to say it will be smooth. We will like to know what they are thinking. PDP has to be forthcoming.”
Ahead of taking over as Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister — most probably at the head of PDP-BJP coalition government — Mehbooba Mufti on Monday showered praise on the state administration for following through her father Mufti Muhammad Say-eed’s ‘vision’.
Late Chief Minister Sayeed, following whose death the state has been brought under Governor's Rule, had a "grand vision" for the J and K's development which resulted in the alliance between the two parties, Madhav told reporters.
"We had an alliance months ago with the grand vision of the state's development. We (BJP) are in favour of continuing that arrangement for the larger benefit of the state. It has been in the interest of the state and we want this to continue," he said.
Madhav had played a key role in bringing about his party's alliance with PDP. A section of PDP is said to be unhappy with the tie-up and wants Mehbooba, who is likely to be her party's chief ministerial candidate, to review it.
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."
With the mourning period over yesterday, BJP expects political discussion within PDP to start now following which it will respond accordingly, he said.
Mehbooba yet to call MLAs’ meet
Uncertainty continued over government formation in Jammu and Kashmir as PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, who is tipped to be the next CM, is yet to convene the Legislature Party meeting.
Mehbooba resumed work as PDP president last evening at the end of four-day mourning period for her father. “At the farewell function to the staff of Sayeed, the party legislators, who were also present, have thrown their weight behind the president on the future course of action,” he said. We are now waiting for her decision," the leader said.
Although BJP, the coalition partner of PDP in the government headed by Sayeed, has not given in writing its support to Mehbooba as the next chief minister yet, several party leaders including former deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh have expressed hope that the alliance with the regional party will continue for the rest of the term of the current assembly.
The visit of senior Congress leaders including AICC president Sonia Gandhi to Mehbooba's residence yesterday had fueled speculation that moves might be afoot for weaning the PDP away from BJP to form an alternative government.
The speculation was only fueled further by the visit of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to Mehbooba's residence minutes after the Congress president left the PDP leader's residence.
Congress has earlier shared power with PDP between 2002 and 2008, with both parties having their Chief Minister on rotational basis after three years.They later had a bitter split in 2008 following the Amarnath land row agitation.
PDP has already given a letter to Governor N N Vohra, saying that all its 27 MLAs support Mehbooba for the Chief Ministership. But Mehbooba had reportedly said that she will not take oath till the end of mourning period for her father, which ended yesterday.
Vohra on Friday had asked both PDP and BJP to convey their position on the government formation. Since BJP did not convey its position, the Governor on Saturday imposed Governor's Rule in the state.
