BJP yet to decide over support to Mehbooba

The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) hasn’t decided yet on the issue of extending support to PDP president Mehbooba Mufti which could pave way for her to become first woman chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir following death her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Sources said top state BJP leaders, who met here on Friday, couldn’t arrive at a consensus over the issue as the party wants to bargain over some issues with the PDP before giving its consent to Mehbooba’s elevation as chief minister. “Sensing the opportunity, the BJP wants that the chief minister post should be rotated after three years,” they said.

The meeting, chaired by BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav, lasted for more than an hour before Madhav left back for New Delhi in the evening to discuss the issue with party high command, sources added.Earlier, Madhav met Mehbooba at her Fairview residence in Srinagar and expressed condolences over death of Mufti.

Talking to reporters, Madhav said he discussed the future of the government with Mehbooba. “But I will not be able to tell you more details about these deliberations right now. When time will come, we will let you know.”  Asked over constitutional crisis in the state in the wake of chief minister’s death, he said, “The governor of the state will be in a better position to comment over it (Constitutional crisis).” As the saffron party kept cards close to its chest, the PDP ruled out any differences within the alliance and exuded confidence over the BJP’s support for elevation of Mehbooba to the chief minister’s post.

Referring to the tributes paid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to late Mufti at New Delhi airport on Thursday and his brief meeting with Mehbooba there, senior PDP leader Muzaffar Baig termed it as a ‘good sign’. Beig, however, cautioned that the BJP can’t change the rules of the game at this time by asking for rotational chief minister or seek more portfolios. Mufti loyalist and government spokesman Naem Akther too ruled out any difference in the coalition.

“The BJP has shown faith on us (PDP) and we have shown faith on them, after the parties came together to form alliance in the state,” he said.

J&K may see short guv rule
Jammu & Kashmir is heading for a short spell of Governor’s rule as PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, daughter of late chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, insisted on not taking the oath until the four-day mourning concludes.

Mehbooba, who is set to replace her father as the first woman chief minister of the state, is still in a state of shock over the demise of her father at AIIMS in New Delhi on Thursday, sources in the PDP said. A senior PDP leader told Deccan Herald that a grief-stricken Mehbooba is busy attending the mourners and party supporters.