Mehbooba Mufti hints at govt formation in Jammu and Kashmir

Striking a tone different from optimistic ally BJP, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti today said “only time can tell” if the two parties form government as she would move ahead only when convinced that “dreams” of her late father Mufti Sayeed for Jammu and Kashmir can be fulfilled.

Mehbooba, a Lok Sabha member from Anantnag, talked about the “unfortunate” developments of JNU as she prepared to leave for Delhi, a visit she insisted was only to fufill her duties as an MP.

“That only time can tell,” was the cryptic response of the PDP president to reporters when they asked her if there was any forward movement in talks with the BJP for government formation in the state.

BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav, after a meeting with Mehbooba here three days back, had said: “Talks were positive.  Both parties are positive that the state will benefit by continuing with the arrangement which guided our 8-9 month old government. We can give a stable government with the same arrangement. This view is on both side...  I hope, yes, there will be continuation of previous arrangement.”

Mehbooba, who attended first public function today since Sayeed’s death on January 7, said coming to power was not her goal.

“If we feel, we can fulfill the dreams of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, then only it is worth it.     If the situation continues as it is, then my inheritance (the people of the state) is enough for me,” she told party workers earlier.

She said her late father, throughout his political career spanning over five decades, had struggled for the betterment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Only 12 years of his long political career, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was in power. However, he remained alive (in politics) due to the support of the people,” Mehbooba said.

“He did not sacrifice his life so that I can get the chair. He sacrificed his life for you,” she said.

Madhav had said the leaders of PDP will arrive in Delhi shortly to discuss fixing of timeline on a “few issues” which have found a mention in the alliance’s Common Minimum Programme.

However, Mehbooba today said her visit to Delhi was only related to her duties as a Lok Sabha member.

“The Parliament session is starting on Feb 23... I am going to attend it. I have asked questions... if Parliament is allowed to function. There are issues like JNU, which is unfortunate, Haryana (Jat agitation), we don’t know what will happen in Parliament,” she said.

She decried attempts to pronounce verdict on the students accused of raising anti-national slogans on the JNU campus, saying it should be left for the court to decide.

Apprehending possible harassment of students from Kashmir, she said she has asked her party leaders to take up with the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh any issues concerning the students from the state at the JNU.

Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing political stalemate ever since Sayeed passed away on January 7 after leading a coalition government with BJP for 10 months. The state is currently under Governor’s Rule since no party staked claim to form government.