PDP leaves J-K government formation to Mehbooba

The Peoples Democratic Party authorised its president Mehbooba Mufti to decide on forming the state government on Sunday, but hinted that the alliance between the party and the Bharatiya Janata Party will continue amid reports of a possible split. 

The decision came after the PDP’s core group met for the first time on Sunday following the demise of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to discuss the issue of formation of a new government and continuation of the party’s alliance with the BJP.

“The core group has authorised party president to take the final call on the formation of a new government in the state. However, no timeline has been set for it,” PDP spokesman and former education minister Naeem Akhtar told newsmen. “We want the implementation of the ‘agenda of the alliance’ forged between the two alliance partners.”

Sources close to the PDP hinted continuation of the party’s alliance with the BJP. 

They said that the new government will be formed with the BJP later this month or early next month.

However, there are some voices within the party who are opposing the continuation of the alliance with BJP.

Tariq Hameed Kara, a founder member of the PDP and its MP from Srinagar has publicly opposed the party’s alliance with the BJP and warned the party leadership of the damages it will inflict on the party’s public base in the state.

Kara who ventilated his reservations in the local media has been opposing the alliance all through.