The stalemate over government formation in J&K continued with both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), allies in the dispensation headed by late Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, remaining tight-lipped about the future course of action.
There is a likelihood of a meeting of the PDP on Friday amid the party’s assertion that the BJP should communicate if it was willing to “implement” what has been agreed in the ‘Agenda of Alliance’ of last year.
“The party has conveyed its stand on government formation and it is now for the BJP to make the
next move – whether they are willing to implement what has been agreed upon in the ‘Agenda of Alliance’,” a PDP leader said.
Senior party leader Naeem Akhtar has made it clear that the PDP would review what was achieved during the 10-month rule of the coalition government with the BJP under Sayeed. “Mufti Sahib had a vision for making J&K a modern state. Due to his death, his vision is yet to be realised. The party under the leadership of Mehbooba Mufti will need to review how much we have succeeded to fulfill Mufti Sahib’s vision so far,” he said.
Describing the ‘Agenda of Alliance’ as a “sacred document” and not just a piece of “scripture”, Akhtar said it needed to be assessed whether the “common vision” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mufti had been taken forward.
He said there have been several “gaps” in its implementation. Akhtar referred to issues such as return of power projects to the state, developing of smart cities, return of land under use of armed forces. “I am saying these are areas of concern of J&K as well as national concern,” the PDP leader said, adding that the BJP should do some stock-taking.
BJP, on the other hand, was tight-lipped on government formation. Senior party leader and Union Minister Jitendra Singh said he has “no idea” about any differences with PDP.
“I honestly believe that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi the entire country has moved forward on a development plank at a very fast pace and I wish, really wish, that the state of J&K should not allow itself to be deprived of this opportunity,” he said.