NC open to BJP pact, says Farooq Abdullah

Amid continuing political impasse in Jammu and Kashmir, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has called a crucial party meeting on Sunday which is expected to deliberate on the issue of future alliance with the BJP.

PDP and BJP had entered into post poll alliance to form the coalition government headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. Meanwhile, sources in the BJP said there was unanimity over Ms. Mufti taking over as the next Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, which is under Governor’s rule since January 8.

NC president Farooq Abdullah said his party has not slammed doors for the alliance (with the BJP) for the government formation in the restive state.

Farooq’s stated “willingness” to ride with the BJP not merely comes as a surprise but runs in the face of the National Conference’s officially stated opposition to any truck with the BJP. Technically, the PDP has to seek the support from its alliance partner before staking claim for the formation of Government.

Sayeed’s daugher Mehbooba Mufti has not broken her silence after her father’s death and party insiders have stuck to the same line for days after the mourning period wound down: “She is not in a proper frame of mind”.

“What is the goal of such friendship, ” Abdullah said referring to the PDP-BJP alliance not coming to a swift decision. He said the Agenda of Alliance framed by the two parties was not a document to be kept in cupboard but a roadmap to be implemented on the ground.

He said in his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a function in Gujarat in 2011 he had invited the attention of participants towards strengthening secularism for larger good of the country.

“The National Conference will call its working committee meeting and place such proposal before it for discussion, ” he said, adding “our doors are open”.

Though PDP said Watal had met Mehbooba just to express his condolences, the key official of the central government is believed to have explained to her about what has been done by the Modi government and what is in store for the state.

Last week, the absence of top brass of BJP at former CM Mufti’s funeral led to many speculations and annoyed many PDP leaders, including PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, reliable sources have told iamin.

When asked about National Conference’s role to bring state out of such a situation, Farooq said that it has never shied away from its duties. National Conference has 15 members in the Legislatively Assembly.

However, after Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s death, the party has remained silent on the support.