Cracks in PDP Over Alliance With BJP

NEW DELHI: The Peoples Democratic Party is wilting under pressure to form a coalition government with the Bharatiya Janata Party. At least ten newly elected legislators have rejected the idea of forming a government with the BJP, and have supported an alliance with the National Conference instead.

Sources told The Citizen that this view was communicated to the top PDP leadership at a recent meeting with the 28 elected members in Srinagar where the issue was discussed.

The sources said that the newly elected members, fearing backlash from the voters in Kashmir has asked the leadership to refrain from forming an alliance with the BJP as it would go against the mandate.

The members, according to the top sources have also conveyed the top leadership that “continuing coziness with the BJP will turn into political suicide."

The sources privy to the meeting also confirmed that even PDP president Mehbooba Mufti also recorded her reservations against forming a coalition government with BJP.

While the party President herself has opposed the alliance, many senior leaders have supported a tie up.

The sources added that besides senior party leader Muzaffar Beg, who is acting as negotiator between PDP and BJP , newly elected member from Rajpora constituency Dr Haseeb Drabu, who is tipped to be next state finance minister is also supporting the tie up with the BJP.

The argument of those supporting an alliance with the BJP is that this would be necessary to keep the funds flowing from the centre without disruption. Meanwhile, according to the sources, BJP, who is trying all ways to be part of next Government in Jammu and Kashmir has agreed to the maximum demands of the PDP including a full six year term Chief Ministership for Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Both parties are in the final stage to forge an alliance with compromises on both sides being built into the deal.

"While BJP has decided not to talk of abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu & Kashmir, on its part the PDP has conceded the demand of the BJP that it will not talk about Self-Rule during the tenure of the new government" the sources said.

The formation of the new government in the state is giving sleepless nights to the politicians and the masses because of the fractured mandate. PDP has emerged as single largest party with 28 members with BJP finishing second at 25. NC has 15 members in the new House and Congress 12 members.