SRINAGAR:Ahead of the structured dialogue with the BJP on government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, the PDP has hardened its stand saying that the party will not compromise on Article 370 and the Centre should partially revoke the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) imposed in the state.
It also wanted the Common Minimum Programme to be made public before the coalition is finalised. “The PDP will raise issues like Article 370 (granting special status to J&K under Constitution), revocation of AFSPA from peaceful areas of the state, resumption of talks with Pakistan and separatists and restoration of power projects by NHPC during the structured dialogue with the BJP,” a senior PDP leader said. He added that the party won’t compromise on these issues, especially on Article 370 and partial revocation of AFSPA as “they are part of our manifesto and we want to fulfil the promises made to the people during the poll campaign”. The PDP leader said they would seek some sort of assurance and guarantee from the BJP central leadership that Article 370 won’t be touched and steps would be taken to scrap AFSPA. On the other hand, the BJP has been demanding the abrogation of Article 370 and is not in favour of removing AFSPA.
The PDP leader further said that direct talks with the BJP will begin this week itself. “The structured dialogue did not take place last week as BJP leaders were busy with the marriage ceremony of party president Amit Shah’s son,” he said.
There are indications that the structured dialogue will begin in New Delhi either on Monday or Tuesday. The PDP has already formed a team of six leaders for talks.
The negotiators include MPs Muzaffar Hussain Baig and Tariq Hamid Karra, MLAs Altaf Bukhari and Haseeb Drabu, MLC and party spokesperson Naeem Akhtar and leader from Jammu Vikramaditya Singh. PDP president and MP Mehbooba Mufti is already camping in New Delhi.
Meanwhile, the PDP chief spokesperson Naeem Akhtar said some progress has been made on talks but some issues were yet to be settled. “Some differences have been sorted out but there are more. The party would make public the CMP once it’s finalised,” he added.