Cong, PDP, NC may join hands in new J&K twist
DRAMATIC REALIGNMENT Party leaders likely to meet governor Satya Pal Malik today SRINAGAR:
Less than six months after the collapse of the coalition between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Jammu and Kashmir seemed set on Wednesday for a dramatic political realignment between old foes seeking to stich up a new alliance to take a shot at government formation in the troubled state.
Leaders of the PDP, National Conference (NC) and the Congress are likely to meet Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik as early as on Thursday to stake a claim for forming a new coalition government in the state, which has been under governor’s rule since June 20 after the collapse of the almost 40-month-old PDP-BJP alliance.
Put together, the three parties have a tally of 55 seats in the 87-member assembly – well past the magic number of 44 needed to form government. To be sure, the situation was fluid as night fell on Wednesday and the attempt by the three parties could be scuttled by the governor Put together, the three parties have a tally of 55 seats in the 87-member assembly – well past the magic number of 44 needed to form government. Still, the parties’ attempt could be scuttled by the governor if he decides to dissolve the assembly that has been under
if he decides to dissolve the assembly that has been under suspended animation since the BJP parted ways with the PDP.
Law minister and senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad refused to comment on Kashmir developments.
On Wednesday, senior PDP leader Altaf Bukhari met NC leader and former J&K chief suspended animation since the BJP parted ways with the PDP. On Wednesday, PDP leader
Altaf Bukhari met NC leader and former J&K CM Omar Abdullah. Reports suggested the government will be led by a senior PDP leader and supported by the NC from outside.
minister Omar Abdullah and discussed the details of a new alliance. Initial reports suggested that the government will be led by a senior PDP leader and will be supported by the NC from outside. Bukhari confirmed that the three parties were likely to team up to protect the rights of J & K both politically and legally, referring to the challenge mounted in the courts against Article 35-A of the Constitution that gives special rights to the state’s permanent residents. It disallows outsiders from buying or owning immovable property in J&K, settle permanently, or avail themselves of state-sponsored scholarship schemes. “Now that our identity is under threat. We have thought of a special response to meet the special situation,” Bukhari told a local channel.
A senior PDP leader close to former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said on condition of anonymity that back- channels talks were under way. “In the new alliance, chief minister will be from the PDP, Mehbooba Mufti or any other person of her choice,’’ this person said. Bukhari said he wasn’t aware of the exact contours of the alliance.
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and former J&K chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress said informal talks were under way to explore the formation of a new government in J&K.NC chair-