Jammu And Kashmir Governor NN Vohra Meets Home Minister Rajnath Singh

The uncertainty over the formation of government in Jammu and Kashmir deepened on Fridat after it emerged that the People’s Democratic Party could potentially snap ties with the BJP if the latter did meet its conditions. While some have speculated that she might go ahead with the ally BJP, and form a government, others say Ms. Mufti might call off the political partnership, paving the way for new elections after three months of Governor’s rule.

The new government is yet to be formed even a month after the death of former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Vohra had invited PDP and BJP separately for consultation with regard to formational of the government. The BJP however is averse to the idea of talking with separatists which also form part of the CBMs. It wants to address the issue and settle it for good before the start of the Parliament session.

The BJP’s national president, Amit Shah, has authorised Madhav, who played a key role in forming the PDP-BJP alliance previous year, to fly to Srinagar next week and hold talks with Mehbooba, according to reports in Delhi-based media.

PDP is also pushing for more financial assistance to the state from the Centre.

The PDP leaders are, however, unaware about the development, “I don’t know if anyone from the BJP is coming for talks”.

Mehbooba Mufti termed the alliance as “unpopular”. A BJP source said the Centre may announce some JK-specific measures in the union budget for which Madhav has been asked to keep the PDP leadership in loop.

The regional party apprehends that its alliance with BJP has cost it some popular support and it can recover the lost ground only by pushing its core agenda.

Governor NN Vohra on Thursday appointed two retired IAS officers as his advisors, a move seen as another indication that Jammu and Kashmir might remain without an elected government for long.