Sonia visits Srinagar to offer condolences to Mehbooba

“Bereavement is not the time to discuss politics or future coalition for Mehbooba ji”, the PDP leader said.

BJP’s Nitin Gadkari and Nirmal Singh with Mehbooba Mufti after the former reached Fairview to offer condolences on the demise of CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

If sources are to be believed Congress President Sonia Gandhi visited Mehbooba thrice during those days while as Modi did not visit even once apart from bidding farewell to Mufti Sayeed at Palam airport. The Congress leaders spent 15 minutes with her. Mr Azad said the meeting was “just to offer prayers and condolences” to Ms Mufti.

Currently, a traditional four-day mourning ritual is underway in Jammu and Kashmir after Sayeed’s departure, three days ago and Mehbooba preferred to stay out of politics during this period.

Mehbooba Mufti additionally visited her father’s grave on Sunday, the place she was seen breaking down. “We have come here only for condoling and there is no other motive”. Ram Madhav also visited, one of the very few people she agreed to meet.

The BJP, sources say, is keen on continuing in the government along with its alliance partner but has put some counter conditions for Mehbooba Mufti. “There was no political agenda involved, you should ask Mehboobaji about the political developments in the state”, Ghulam Nabi Azad said after the meeting. However, grief-stricken Mehbooba didn’t take a call on the issue, paving the way for governor’s rule in the state.

While Sonia will fly back to New Delhi today (Sunday) itself, Gadkari will meet state party leaders to discuss the formation of new government in Jammu and Kashmir.

PDP has already given a letter to Governor N N Vohra, saying that all its 27 (rpt) 27 MLAs support Mehbooba for the Chief Ministership. “She will carry forward his legacy and continue the party’s alliance with BJP”, he said.

“I met Mehbooba Mufti to express grief”. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the brain child of senior Mufti, won maximum seats in 2014 assembly election and formed a coalition government with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that had won majority seats from Jammu region.

Opposite to what media has been feeding us, PDP’s leadership has to face tough question daily from the party cadre and workers after forming alliance with BJP. “There is a huge responsibility now to provide good governance to people in his absence and to carry forward what he achieved in the last 10 months”.

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