BJP accuses Cong of luring PDP

 With Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) keeping cards close to its chest over the formation of new government in Jammu and Kashmir, alliance partner BJP on Monday accused the Congress of luring the PDP to grab the power.

A senior PDP leader told Deccan Herald that party president and chief minister in waiting Mehbooba Mufti seems to be least interested in forming new government with the BJP anytime soon. “She (Mehbooba) didn’t talk anything about it (forming government) during the party leaders meeting at her residence last evening (Sunday). Most of the leaders wept after Mehbooba broke down during the party meeting,” he revealed.

“Her (Mehbooba’s) body language and attitude made it clear that she is not in a hurry at all in forming the new government with the BJP. The party president told the lawmakers to head back to their constituencies and work to strengthen the party,” the leader added.

The decision of 56-year-old Mehbooba, who was expected to take over as first woman chief minister of the state after the death of her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed last week, has kept the BJP on tenterhooks.

However, sources said, the PDP is also not in a position to walk away from the alliance with the BIP as they will have to overturn one of the biggest decisions made by party patriarch Mufti last year. “But at the same time Mehbooba is keen to reset the terms of alliance with the BJP,” they said.

They said the PDP has demanded abolishing of deputy chief minister post which was held by the BJP in the Mufti-led government, return of power portfolio from the BJP and liberal central funding for the state in the new terms of alliance.

“Besides, the party also wants that the Center shouldn’t interfere in the decisions taken by the state government like they did last year when hardline separatist leader Masrat Alam had to be rearrested on the instructions of the Union Home Minister after Mufti-led government had ordered his relase from the prison after five years of incarceration,” sources added.