The People’s Democratic Party and National Conference should come together to form the government in the “larger interests” of Jammu and Kashmir, the senior PDP leader and former finance minister Syed Altaf Bukhari said on Friday.
“This is the right thing to do (to have the NC-PDP alliance) in the present situation when our identity is under attack,” Bukhari said, when asked about the possibility of the two arch-rivals coming together to form the next government in the state, which is presently under Governor’s rule.
Talking to media on the sidelines of a PDP function here, Bukhari said both NC and PDP should meet the Governor and stake claim to government formation.
“He (Governor) can’t ignore us because we have the numbers,” Bukhari said. “We can also work out the agenda for protection of Article 35A.”
Bukhari, the legislator from Srinagar’s Amira Kadal constituency, said that his party and NC boycotted the upcoming panchayat and urban local body elections in protest against the government of India’s “silence” to their demand seeking assurance for protection of Article 35A, which doesn’t allow non-locals to buy land or apply for jobs in the state.
“This is what people wanted from us. We sided with the people on this critical issue to respect their aspirations. If BSP and SP can come together in the larger interest of people (in Uttar Pradesh), there is nothing wrong if we (NC and PDP) shake hands,” said Bukhari.
He however said that it was his personal opinion and wasn’t speaking on behalf of the party.
J&K is under Governor’s rule from June 19 when BJP walked out of the coalition with PDP. Though media reports had suggested that the BJP, along with Sajad Lone, was working to form the government in the state with support from PDP rebels and disgruntled legislators, nothing concrete has come to the fore so far.
Bukhari said his party and NC believe in democracy and elections. “We had assumed that government of India will take note of our protest (over Article 35A) and respond to our demands. But they are not bothered,” the PDP leader said.
When 2014 Assembly elections threw up a fractured mandate, National Conference had offered its support to the PDP on government formation to keep the BJP out of power. Even senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad had suggested a “grand alliance” between PDP, NC and his party to keep the right-wing party at bay. That time, the PDP rejected both the proposals.
“If their (New Delhi’s) mission is to disempower us, we should respond by joining hands. We have no personal differences,” Bukhari said.
He said he has also sought time from Governor Satya Pal Malik for a meeting over killing of a youth in Qamarwari area during cordon by forces on Thursday.
“I will demand registration of FIR into the killing,” Bukhari said.
Meanwhile, In a positive reaction to Altaf Bukhari’s willingness for tie up with National Conference for government formation, senior National Conference leader and MLA Kangan Mian ALtaf said National Conference is open to joining hands with PDP to safeguard Article 35-A and fight communal forces but stated that decision to ally with PDP lies with Omar Abdullah.
“The suggestion of NC and PDP joining hands for joint fight on Article 35-A and against communal forces in Jammu and Kashmir made by senior PDP leader is a welcome move. The NC vice president Omar Abdullah can decide whether to join hands with PDP to form coalition government in the State,” Altaf said.
He said forming a government and stitching an alliance with PDP is not an easy job. “It is very difficult keeping in view the present political scenario in the state”.
“So only Omar Abdullah can decide whether to align with PDP to form the government to jointly defend Article 35-A and fighting communal forces in the state,” he added.
