Sonia to visit Mehbooba on Sunday; governor’s rule imposed in JK

If PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, following the demise of her chief minister father Mufti Muhammad Sayeed last week, is playing to succeed him as the leader of the J&K government, it is understandable that she should show signs of some insecurity about the intentions of the BJP, which had come together to form a coalition government with the Kashmiri regional party in March previous year.

Meanwhile, political observers are also of the view Mufti’s close aides may end up facing a demotion.

Analysts say that when the PDP and BJP forged an alliance with Mufti Sayeed at the helm of affairs, the latter had the upper hand on the negotiation table.

As constitutional experts keep arguing whether the absence of a government in Jammu and Kashmir is a constitutional crisis or not, for Mehbooba Mufti, politics comes much after the love and respect has for her father.

Noting that in 2002 he had committed to provide a “healing touch” as Chief Minister, she said, “Mufti Saheb cut across party boundaries”.

As PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti seemed to be keeping its ally on tenterhooks, the BJP is in favour of continuing with the power-sharing arrangement between the two parties in Jammu and Kashmir.

Ms. Gandhi’s visit came a day after the Centre announced that the state was brought under Governor’s Rule with effect from January 8. “We are now waiting for her decision”, the leader said. Talking about his meeting with Mufti in Delhi, Gadkari said the late PDP leader had a dream for the state which involved tourism, development and infrastructure among other things. Sonia Gandhi had visited Mehbooba to offer her condolences, the Congress claimed.

Senior PDP leader and former education minister Naeem Akhtar also dismissed rumours about any conditions set forth by either his party or the BJP for forming the new government.

Since BJP did not convey its position, the governor on Saturday imposed governor’s rule in the state.

In the season of Chilla-i-Kalan – the 40 harshest days of the Kashmir winter when the snow strips the trees down to their bare barks and the water on the Dal freezes over – political uncertainty has generated an odd kind of unseasonal heat. Sources also said that Mehbooba was also upset with the small gathering at the funeral of her father in Srinagar, where PDP has five MLAs. “So many people writing pieces about what Mehbooba is doing by delaying government formation but have any of them actually spoken to her directly”, he tweeted in the context of speculations about Mehbooba’s apparent reluctance and delay in taking over as CM.

With the mourning period over yesterday, BJP expects political discussion within PDP to start now following which it will respond accordingly, he said. “We have to honour of our leader”, said Baig.

“BJP did not follow the “Agenda of Alliance” whether it be Article 370, Article 35 (A) of the constitution, beef issue, return of power projects, AFSPA, or dialogue with Hurriyat for the resolution of Kashmir or dialogue with Pakistan”, Karra said.

“There are no differences between PDP and BJP”.

Sources said that some former Ministers, both from the PDP and the BJP, may face axe on the basis of their 10-month performance.