Chat with governor may not end political deadlock in J&K

Government formation in Jammu and Kashmir could be delayed as both the BJP and PDP want more time from Governor N N Vohra when they meet him on Tuesday evening.
Mukhtar Ahmad/Rediff.com reports from Srinagar.

A clear political scenario in Jammu and Kashmir may emerge by Tuesday, February 2, evening when leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party, meet Governor N N Vohra to update him on the efforts to form a government in the state, which is currently under governor's rule.

The governor's letter to the leaders of the two parties, which had run a coalition government for 10 months till January 7, came after PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti talked tough with regard to the continuance of the alliance with the BJP on Sunday, January 31.

Mehbooba, who is seen as a successor to her late father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as chief minister, said she will take a call after 'reassessing' whether the BJP-led government at the Centre would take substantive steps in a 'set timeframe' to address the 'core' political and economic issues of the state.

In the wake of these developments, the state BJP's core group met in Jammu on Monday and said it will hold consultations with the central leadership on government formation before meeting the governor.

After the meeting, which discussed Mehbooba's statement, BJP leaders said there was 'no concrete' demand or conditions from the PDP, but their party was committed to the implementation of 'Agenda of Alliance' and address any issues that its ally may have.

Meanwhile, observers interpret Mehbooba's hard-hitting statements as 'a deft stroke to regain ground lost by the PDP by aligning with the BJP'.

"Mehbooba has thrown the ball in the Centre's court and positioned herself in a win-win situation. If the Centre responds positively to her demands she can sell it to the people. If they do not, she will go back to the people saying she relinquished the power for the sake of their interests," an observer told Rediff.com

PDP legislators have authorised Mehbooba to convey their views to the governor when she meets him in Jammu at 4:30 pm on Tuesday. Mehbooba, sources aid, will seek more time from the governor for government formation.

Interestingly, the sources added, the BJP will take the same line as the PDP.