MillenniumPost
Nation

BJP to be deal-maker in J&K, says Jaitley

On a day of a number of commensurate developments, the Congress pledged support to a government in Jammu and Kashmir under the leadership of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. The move came after news emerged in a section of media that outgoing chief minister Omar Abdullah had met BJP president Amit Shah in New Delhi on Wednesday night.
Though the news of the Shah-Abdullah meeting was quickly denied by the BJP, the party leadership indicated that it was very much involved in the process of government formation in 
the state. 

Talking to the reporters in Jammu after a meeting with newly-elected legislatures, senior leader and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, “Irrespective of which party going to form the government, it is a fact that we will play a crucial role.”

On the other hand, the state unit of Congress on Thursday announced that they were ready to support PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to form the government. J&K Congress President Saifuddin Soz said, “It is a matter of concern that a section of power-hungry political groups are trying vitiate the democratic verdict of the people.We want a forward-looking politician like Sayeed should be allowed to lead a coalition government in the state with the support of other like-minded parties or groups.”

On Thursday, Jaitley along with party colleague Arun Singh flew to Jammu where they met party MLAs along with five others separately to decide party strategy. Soon after the meeting Jaitley told the reporters that the legislators have authorised party President Amit Shah to decide the future course of action on government formation. “In the meeting we have decided to go ahead on the issue of government formation with three principles based on national and state interest. And these principles are strengthening of national sovereignty, development and regional balance,” Jaitley said, while rubbishing media reports that they had a meeting with former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
When asked whether NC will extend its support to BJP or Congress in government formation, NC general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar told Millennium Post that so far his party has not decided on this issue. 

“At present, no such discussion but I can not speculate what will happen in future. But it is true that whatever may be the decision, it will be taken taking consent from all the party leaders,” he added. Abdullah, however, kept everybody guessing through his tweet, which said, “Incidentally in 2002 Mufti became CM with 16 MLAs & NC with 28 sat in opposition so excuse me if I don’t oblige by rolling over to play dead.” 

Jaitley, while admitting that the party was in touch with unattached members, said, “Whether to wait and watch or be active, we will not talk about the strategy to the media.”
Next Story
Share it