PDP-BJP talks on, but behind closed doors

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 8

Despite all the tough talk and posturing on both sides, warring allies PDP and BJP continue to be engaged in a dialogue on government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, top BJP sources indicated today.

Keeping alive the hopes of the first saffron government in the state, a BJP leader in the know of developments in the currently Governor-ruled state said talks with the PDP were “very much on”. “Talks are going on. The government formation may take some more time but we are hopeful of a solution by next month,” he said.

Notably, a day before the meeting with Governor NN Vohra on February 2, the saffron leadership categorically said it would “not succumb to PDP pressure” for any deviation from the common minimum programme —- the document outlining objectives of the PDP-BJP coalition government headed by the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

However, according to BJP sources, the party wants the arrangement with the PDP to stay for the sake of “peace and development in the state”. “We are always ready to discuss issues related to development of the state.”

The sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS leadership were also in favour of the continuance of the alliance. “They believe that political and economic issues can be pursued only if there is peace and harmony in the state,” the sources said.

The BJP leaders maintained that walking out of the alliance was a risk Mehbooba might be unwilling to take keeping in mind the ground realities and notwithstanding the speculations that the PDP could opt out of the alliance to counter the flak it was facing for allying with the BJP.