Mehbooba’s silence keeps BJP on edge

The PDP leader, who in all likelihood would succeed her father as the Chief Minister of the state, is waiting for the BJP to blink first.

According to party insiders, even after several rounds of meeting with senior BJP leaders, including Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and party general secretary Ram Madhav, Mehbooba has not come out with any workable formula.

In reply to a query on the prevailing uncertainty, BJP’s general secretary Ram Madhav said, “The PDP can answer this question. They have to think about the process and have to complete it from their side. It is for PDP to take the first call. They have to decide on their leader and come forward. I hope they take a decision soon so that this kind of uncertainty ends.” The BJP general secretary also dismissed reports of fresh conditions being put forth by PDP as “mere speculation”.

“We had an alliance months ago with the grand vision of the state’s development. We (BJP) are in favour of continuing that arrangement for the larger benefit of the state. It has been in the interest of the state and we want this to continue,” he said.

However, contrary to the public statement made by Madhav, the party insiders said, “It’s speculated that BJP will submit a support letter of its MLAs to state Governor either on Tuesday or Wednesday and proceed towards government formation in the politically important state.”

Sources in the party further added that the Central leadership have decided to move ahead with Mehbooba Mufti as CM. The buzz is that the meeting of Mehbooba with Congress president Sonia Gandhi has forced the BJP to get cracking.  The PDP had gone slow on government formation after Governor’s rule was imposed in the state, a move which was seen as pressure tactic of BJP.

According to BJP sources, “There is an immense pressure from RSS to remain a partner in the government. It’s due to this that BJP has agreed to all the terms and conditions set by PDP- such as no deputy post to BJP and all key portfolios being retained by PDP.”

In reply to a question on Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s meeting with Mehbooba, which has fuelled political speculation, Madhav quipped, “What transpired (between them) I do not know but I am tempted to believe that it was to express condolences.”