NEW DELHI: Setting the tone for the formation of the maiden PDP-BJP alliance Government in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister-designate Mufti Mohammed Sayeed on Friday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, putting the final stamp on the deal between the two parties.
Decks were cleared for government formation after both the political parties arrived at a consensus on the common minimum programme (CMP), which will now be unveiled after tomorrow’s swearing-in ceremony. And Modi is scheduled to attend the inauguration. This will be first time that the BJP will share power in the Muslim-majority state and even have a Deputy CM.
This will be the second tenure for the veteran PDP leader as he was earlier the Chief Minister in alliance with the Congress from November 2002-November 2005. Mufti had refused to be drawn into a controversy over the consensus reached on contentious issues like Article 370, revoking of the AFSPA, rehabilitation of West Pakistan refugees(WPR) and talks with separatists.
“I have extended an invite to the Prime Minister for attending the ceremony and he has agreed,” the PDP patron said, adding things will become clear once the CMP is unveiled . “It (the alliance) is both for political and governance. First political and then governance. When political atmosphere will be right, then only governance will take place.”
He equated the PDP-BJP coalition with “bringing together North Pole with South Pole”. “The mandate of elections is clear that the PDP is the choice of people in Kashmir and the BJP in Jammu. So we decided that we will come together to give a government which will give all-round development to all the regions in the state.”
“The PDP was of the view that we should not allow the opportunity to go waste as it was a historic opportunity with the government at the Centre that has a clear mandate of people to deliver,” Mufti added.
Sources said Mufti would have a 25-member Cabinet, with both parties each getting 12 ministerial berths.