SRINAGAR: Even as PDP and BJP Saturday denied having any differences over power sharing in Jammu and Kashmir, insiders within the BJP suggest that the party high command has directed its cadre not to rake up issues detrimental to the peace and security of the state.
Several BJP members in the present political set up had gathered around party General Secretary, Ram Madhav on Friday behind closed doors to discuss the possibility of rearrangement of power following the death of the PDP patriarch Mufti Muhammad Sayeed.
The BJP leader refused to divulge any detail on the issue, and later had a closed door meeting with BJP MLAs.
“I went to meet Mehbooba (Mufti) to express my condolences on the demise of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Madhav had said. We had some discussions over the future of the government but I will not be able to share more details about these deliberations right now.
“When time will come, we will let you know,” Madhav told reporters here before going for a meeting with BJP legislators.
There definitely was the talk of rearrangement of power as some BJP members were insisting on using the opportunity to leverage its position vis-à-vis its dominant partner, a BJP insider told Kashmir Observer.
However, the BJP high command ultimately had the upper say and it prevailed upon the cadre not to misuse the void created by the demise of Mufti Sayeed.
Weve strictly been advised not rake up issues that disturbs the fragile atmosphere of peace and security in the state especially in the light of the recent heightened insurgency, the insider said.
However, the BJP State Unit Chief Sat Pal Sharma denied having met with the leaders on government formation. There were certainly no conditions from their side. We respect the right of the bereaved family of Mufti Sahib to mourn his death.”
BJP is interested in peace and development in the state and our party wants to continue the coalition to continue on the path shown by the departed PDP leader, Sharma said.
Following Mehbooba Mufti’s refusal to take oath as the new chief minister in succession to her late father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed before the traditional four day period of mourning ended, speculations were rife in the state that serious differences had surfaced up between the PDP and the BJP over future power sharing.
Sharma, however, confirmed he had received a letter from Governor NN Vohra on future government formation, adding the party will take a decision on it only after the mourning for the departed leader, Sayeed is over.
Experts believe the PDP may be the senior partner, but it is presently important for Modi to advise party leaders to be an elder Margdarshak. Modi must either directly or through senior emissaries try to reach out to Mehbooba and shepherd her through the challenge which may be mounted by PDP on her leadership, Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, an expert on right-wing Hindu politics wrote in article.
In the past ten months, the columnist writes, coalition had its share of trouble stemming primarily from ingrained animosity towards the ally. Belligerent forces in both parties ploughed this line in hope of strengthening their position among hardliners, he said. That the coalition remained focussed stemmed greatly from the statesmanship displayed by Modi and Sayeed.
Besides being politically inopportune, any suggestion within the BJP that the present uncertainty within the PDP should be used to leverage its position vis-à-vis its dominant partner, would also go against the basic tenets of the partys decision earlier this year to form a coalition, Mukhopadhyay wrote.
Sharma confirmed he had received a letter from Governor N.N. Vohra on future government formation, adding the party will take a decision on it only after the mourning for Sayeed is over.
The BJP is yet to deliver a letter of support for Mehbooba’s candidature to the Governor and is meeting under the chairmanship of Madhav here to decide its future course of action.
Meanwhile, senior PDP leader and former Education Minister, Naeem Akhtar also dismissed rumours about any conditions set forth by either his party or the BJP for forming the new government.
“Mufti Sahib was not only her father but guide, mentor and inspiration, he said. We are not in any condition to discuss government formation at this moment. She (Mehbooba Mufti) is in mourning right now.”
He said the party leadership including the president will discuss and decide on government formation at an appropriate time.
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