New Delhi: Decks seem to have been cleared for revival of PDP-BJP alliance in Jammu and Kashmir with the regional party chief Mehbooba Mufti meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi here in renewed efforts for formation of a government after a prolonged deadlock.
After the 15-minute meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence, 56-year-old Mehbooba told reporters it was “very positive” and “good” in addressing issues pertaining to the people of the state and that she was “very satisfied”.
The meeting took place a day after Mehbooba arrived here barely three days after she had returned to the Kashmir Valley after her talks with BJP President Amit Shah had hit a road block. After hardening of her stand following her father Mufti Mohammed Sayeed’s demise on January seven this year, the PDP Chief is understood to climbed down on her demands for assurances like handing over of power projects to the state, enhancing relief to flood victims and vacation of land by the army. She, however, remained non-committal on these issues. “We are seeing a stalemate for last two to three months over government formation in the state but today I am satisfied. I am very satisfied,” she said and announced that the party’s future course of action would be announced at the PDP legislature party meeting this Thursday. To a question whether the stalemate has ended, she said, “When you meet the Prime Minister of the country, naturally the solution to the problems faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir is more clear”. Asked about the Modi-Mehbooba meeting, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said at a BJP briefing it was “constructive and good”. A BJP source said the alliance government in the state could be in place in the next one week. Mehbooba will be flying back to Srinagar tomorrow where she will brief her party legislators on Thursday. “I had been authorised by the party MLAs to take a decision. I have convened a meeting on Thursday and after that we will announce the future course of action.” On government formation in the state, she said, “As I said I will talk to my MLAs because that is the forum. This is not the place. There is a particular place to make such announcements. I will go back to Srinagar and take the next step.” Sources in the PDP said that after the legislative party meeting, the two sides would meet for government formation and giving final touches to the cabinet which will be headed by Mehbooba, the first woman Chief Minister of the state. Last Thursday, BJP’s chief interlocutor Ram Madhav had announced that his party would not be accepting any fresh demands from its erstwhile ally PDP and put the ball in their court while stressing that his party would respect the ‘Agenda of Alliance’ document. The meeting was eyed with suspicion by opposition National Conference and Congress who asked the PDP leadership to come clean on the deal with BJP. – PTI
