Mufti's Move to Partner BJP Carved in Stone: PDP Chief
SRINAGAR: Amid continued suspense over government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said her party would always honour the decision of its late patron and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to align with the BJP but asserted that “tangible steps” needed to be taken towards implementation of the Agenda of Alliance (AoA) framed by the two parties last year.
“My father’s decision to join hands with BJP is a ‘Pather Ki Lakir’ (carved in stone) for us. I don’t want to do anything which would prove my father’s decision was wrong,” Mehbooba said, addressing party workers in Kupwara. She said her party made a bold and decisive political move in March 2015 by forming a coalition government with the BJP in the larger interest of J&K’s peace and stability. “Mufti saheb is well-known for his conviction in his decisions and his commitment to fulfil them, with unflinching faith and sincerity despite tremendous pressures,” she said, adding PDP would always honour his decision with the unflinching faith and sincerity of purpose.
She, however, linked government formation with tangible action on the AoA. “I will sit on the chair only if I feel I will fulfil the dreams of Mufti Sayeed for the people, otherwise there is no need to be in the chair,” she said.
The PDP and BJP framed the Common Minimum Programme named AoA to form the coalition government. Mufti Sayeed took over as CM of the PDP-BJP government last March 1. He died on January 7 and since then, the State has been under Governor’s rule as Mehbooba has refused to take over as CM till she gets assurances from the Central government and the BJP, including that the AoA would be implemented.