PDP-BJP govt in J&K likely next week

Parties may record differences in common minimum programme

As a way forward towards government formation in Jammu & Kashmir, the BJP and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) may put on record their differences on Article 370 and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the common minimum programme (CMP).

The PDP-BJP alliance is likely to form the government sometime next week. A formula along the lines–we agree to disagree on the contentious issues–is stated to have been worked out between top leaders of the BJP and the PDP towards this end.

This approach is expected to enable them to address the concerns of each other’s core political constituency. Basically, it envisages clearly stating their respective positions on the question of revoking AFSPA and abrogation of Article 370 without appearing to have been “sold out” for the sake of power, sources said. Both sides will make it clear that they are unable to reach an understanding on these issues and will keep talking till a pact is possible.

Sources privy to the developments told Deccan Herald that both the parties have agreed on the formation of a committee which will look into the AFSPA issue and suggest areas from where it could be revoked.

“On Article 370, while the BJP has given no written assurance as demanded by the PDP, the CMP is expected to say that both parties will respect the aspirations of the people of the state within the Constitution,” sources said.

To reassure their respective cadres, both the parties could put up the CMP in public domain ahead of the swearing-in ceremony.

In a bid to please the BJP's ideological mentor, the RSS, the CMP could mention the issue of more than 25,000 Hindu families from West Pakistan  who are residing in Jammu region for many years but are yet to be granted permanent settlement. It could also be treated as “a humanitarian issue”.

PDP chief spokesman Nayeem Akhtar ruled out any coalition hurdles with the BJP. “Most of the differences have been sorted out. Talks have registered significant progress and they have entered the next level,” he told Deccan Herald.

At the same time, the PDP and BJP will list areas of agreement concerning the development of the state, where the new government can start immediate work. As desired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, PDP patron Mufti Mohamed Sayeed will be chief minister for the full six-year term of the Assembly. BJP’s Nirmal Singh is likely to be the deputy chief minister.

However, PDP sources said that before the final announcement is made, Sayeed will meet Modi in New Delhi to finalise the CMP. The Assembly polls threw a fractured verdict where the PDP emerged as the single largest party with 28 seats, while the BJP bagged 25 seats. The National Conference bagged 15 and the Congress could manage 12.

The state has been under governor’s rule since January 9, a day after Omar Abdullah requested Governor N N Vohra to relieve him of the duties of caretaker chief minister.