SRINAGAR: Congress state chief GA Mir on Sunday ruled out extending support to the Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Congress is not trying to form any government in the State. Our party won’t support any party, including the PDP, in forming a coalition government in the State,” Mir told TNIE.
He said the party had offered unconditional support to the Muftis after the 2014 elections gave a hung Assembly. “We had then told the Muftis that we will support you from outside and the coalition government can last a full term of six years.”
The PDP rejected the offer and aligned with BJP and Modi, he said, adding that the alliance pushed the State to a total disaster. “Being part of any effort to form the government is not justified at all. And, the Congress is not making any such effort to help cobble a coalition government in the State.”
After the fall of the PDP-BJP government on June 19, the saffron party has not ruled out forming a “popular government” following a brief spell of the Governor’s rule.
The PDP is the single largest part with 28 seats, followed by the BJP with 25, the National Conference 15, the Congress 12, the Peoples Conference 2 and five Independents.
Mir also quashed speculation that Mehbooba met senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad in New Delhi on Saturday. “Azad is out of the country, and there is no truth in reports that he met Mehbooba. He will be returning to the country on Sunday night.”
The Congress state chief said the party’s Policy Planning Group on Kashmir led by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would be meeting Monday in Delhi to assess the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. “On July 3, senior state leaders, including MLAs, MLCs and ex-MLAs, will meet in Srinagar to discuss the prevailing political situation,” he said.
Asked whether the party favoured early elections, Mir said it depended on the situation. “Only after conducive atmosphere on the ground, polls should be held. It depends on Governor Vohra when he feels the situation is conducive for holding Assembly elections.”