Srinagar: PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has said that the alliance between Congress, National Conference and PDP would work for protecting the special status of the state.
She added that tinkering with the laws concerning the political identity of the state should come to a halt.
“Talks are on and it will take some time to cobble together the proposed political combination between PDP, NC and Congress for formation of a new government in Jammu and Kashmir. We granted an opportunity to BJP for a bigger motive but BJP didn’t fall in agreement with our agenda. Our intent was to use a big mandate for a big purpose to bring the people J&K out of the difficulties they are facing since last several decades but they pulled out following differences with us on our agenda over Jammu and Kashmir.”
In reply to a question, Mehbooba said, “The alliance would work for protecting Article 35-A, tinkering with the laws concerning political identity of J&K as Governor’s administration is nowadays randomly amending the laws concerning the special status of the state. The BJP has started engineering defections in other parties for furtherance of its political motives and we three parties NC, PDP and Congress have decided to come together setting aside our differences on some issues for protecting Article 35-A and stropping horse-trading amid tinkering with laws concerning political identity of J&K.”
In reply to a question on the choice of Chief Minister, Mehbooba said, “PDP will discuss the issue with its legislators, senior leaders and even grass-root level workers and name the candidate with consensus for the position of Chief Minister. It will take some time.”
Regarding Muzaffar Beigh’s statement about the joining a third front, Mehbooba said, “I won’t talk on this issue.”
Earlier, Senior PDP leader Altaf Bukhari said that the senior leaders of the National Conference, PDP and the Congress have agreed to make an alliance in order to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir.
Bukhari pointed out that the alliance has been formed to cater the ‘aspirations of the people of Kashmir and to protect the special status of the state.’
“This alliance is not for the sake of ruling. It has been formed for the protection of the special identity which we have constitutionally. Article 370 and 35-A are under attack. We have to respond,” he said.
Bukhari, according to reports, is emerging as the chief ministerial candidate of the alliance, however he said that right now he dosen’t know anything beyond the fact that an alliance has been agreed upon to protect the special status of the state.
He also informed that an official announcement regarding the alliance will be made in one or two days.
Earlier, Senior Congress Leader Ghulam Nabi Azad had confirmed that talks between the three parties are already going on.
While speaking to Free Press Kashmir, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president G.A. Mir says that he has no information about the meeting, however, he is not against the idea, “given the way communal forces have/ are planning to execute venomous ideas in the state.”
“If, on a national level, like minded people are putting forward their ideas, making it a role model and turning it into one single voice to fight against communal forces, won’t be wrong,” said Mir adding, “The naked-dance BJP has been performing and plans on doing here are evident by the way situation has turned tense here for last 4 years.”
The development has happened a day after PDP heavy weight Muzaffar Hussain Baig said that he was ready to join a ‘third front’ if it emerges in Jammu and Kashmir.
However, the BJP has said that the three have come together on directions of Pakistan.
In a hurriedly called press conference in Jammu at the BJP headquarters, in reaction to the alliance, BJP leader Kavinder Gupta said, “These parties are coming together to form government on directions of Pakistan just to keep BJP away.”
(With inputs from KNS)
