PDP divided over Mehbooba Mufti's Cabinet berth, may help party in J-K
While one group feels her entry will prove to be damaging for the PDP in the state, the other says Mehbooba's Cabinet berth will help party in the long run.
Reports on Mehbooba Mufti joining Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet may be doing the rounds, but her party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is divided on the issue.
While one group feels her entry will prove to be damaging for the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir, the other says Mehbooba's Cabinet berth will help the state and the party in the long run. A senior leader said it was unlikely that the PDP president would join the Union Cabinet.
"I am not sure, but I feel she (Mehbooba) and the party will not join the BJP at the Centre," the leader said. Another party leader said: "It was in peculiar circumstances that the PDP was forced to enter into an alliance with the BJP in the state. The elections had thrown up a fractured mandate and the PDP entered into an issue-based alliance with the BJP. There is no compulsion for the PDP president to join the Cabinet," he said.
The leader was of the opinion that Mehbooba joining the Union Cabinet would have ramifications for the PDP in J&K. "It took three months for the PDP to forge an alliance with the BJP. It was not an easy decision. There were compelling reasons for entering into the alliance. These reasons are not present with regard to joining the Union Cabinet," he added.
Those leaders within the PDP who support the alliance with the BJP at the Centre claim that the issue had come up while talks were being held to finalise the alliance in J&K. "At that time, no PDP leader denied having an alliance with the BJP at the Centre. We only said an appropriate decision would be taken at the appropriate time. I think the time has come when our party should take the plunge and join the Union Cabinet," an influential party MLA said, adding that the PDP's presence at the Centre will greatly benefit the state.
However, both groups feel only Mehbooba will be able to confirm anything on the issue. The PDP chief was unavailable for comment. Meanwhile, the National Conference has alleged that the Muftis were tight-lipped on the issue and confusing people only to rehabilitate their family in the state.