Madhav meets Mufti to seek 'better coordination'

Amid rising tensions between coalition partners the PDP and BJP over the release of separatist leader Masarat Alam, the saffron party’s national general secretary Ram Madhav called on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Wednesday evening to discuss the issue.

Sources told Deccan Herald that Madhav was directed by BJP president Amit Shah to meet Mufti and convey the party’s displeasure over “unilateral” decision taken by the J&K government.

“He (Madhav) conveyed Shah’s message to Mufti that BJP must be taken on-board before the state government takes any decision on contentious issues and those relating to national security. Madhav also told the chief minister that the government should work only as per the Common Minimum Programme (CMP),” they added.

 A spokesman of the state BJP confirmed Madhav’s meeting with Mufti. “During the hour-long meeting Madhav urged the chief minister to ensure better coordination between the BJP and PDP in future,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh have expressed their open displeasure over the “unilateral” decision taken by Mufti.

The state government had on Wednesday submitted second report to the  Home Ministry over the release of Alam after the latter was not satisfied with the first one filed on Tuesday, sources said.

J&K Principal Secretary, (Home) Suresh Kumar confirmed that the state government submitted another report.

“We have submitted clarifications in two reports, one was sent on Tuesday and another one was submitted on Wednesday,” he said. In the first clarification, the state government had reportedly stated that there were no legal grounds to keep the separatist leader in jail.

This led to the Centre seeking for details on all cases registered against him.
The development in North Block is being seen as a prelude to the ministry exploring legal options to act against Alam.

Under pressure from the Centre, the state government on Tuesday announced that there would be no further release of militants or political prisoners.