BJP flexible on govt formation in J&K

Party not against giving more funds to state

To tide over political uncertainty in Jammu and Kashmir, the cautious BJP is willing to be flexible to accommodate some of the demands of the PDP for resuming government formation dialogue.

However, that cannot be off tangent to common minimum programme (CMP) agreed in writing by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

BJP sources said that both the coalition partners will have to walk an extra mile for the coalition to rule against the sensitive Pakistan bordering state. Unwilling to allow the PDP to dictate terms, the BJP sources indicated that it was not averse to losing its purse a bit more for extra central assistance beyond Rs 80,000 crore package Modi had announced last November. Even Modi, while announcing the package, had told Kashmiris that “this was just a beginning” and  “the treasury” and “heart” of Delhi were open for them.

The PDP, said party sources, believes that most of the Rs 80,000 crore package would be exhausted in funding the existing schemes and only about 10 per cent will go into state’s kitty for spending. This amount was far less than Rs 44,000 crore the PDP government had demanded from the Centre for rebuilding infrastructure and rehabilitating victims post devastating floods that hit the region towards the end of National Conference regime.

The Kashmiri party also wants that the three central power projects be handed over to the state besides some relaxation on Armed forces special powers act to address alienation of locals.

As per the CMP,  the state government has been given power for de-notifying disturbed areas but the final call would remain with the Centre on continuation of the AFSPA which the services are not in favour of lifting it now.

State governor N N Vohra’s attempt to have a dialogue with PDP and BJP delegations on Tuesday to break ice on government formation got prolonged since both were adamant on their stand.