Says AFSPA wasn’t discussed with Mehbooba; PDP leaders invited to Delhi to meet Central ministers
A day after he met Mehbooba Mufti, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav today dismissed speculations that the saffron party could consider lifting the controversial AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) to keep the PDP in the NDA fold.
While hopeful of forming the government with the PDP “as per the existing Agenda of the Alliance”, Madhav asserted that there was no question of either dilution or addition to the existing Common Minimum Programme drafted by the two parties with the blessings of the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
The BJP general secretary said that during his meeting with Mehbboba yesterday the issue of lifting AFSPA was not even discussed. Though Madhav admitted that there were obstructions in the process of government formation in J&K, he said he had invited PDP leaders to meet Central leaders in Delhi and take the process forward. He, however, did not say that by when the “issues” between the two would be sorted out.
“There will be no dilution or any addition to the CMP. It is a very comprehensive document for development and good governance in Jammu and Kashmir. The government formation will be as per the existing Agenda of Alliance between the two parties. Our talks have been positive and I hope there is an understanding on both sides as per the CMP,” he said speaking of his meeting with Mehbooba in Srinagar.
“Some issues can be discussed but the government formation should be as per the Agenda of Alliance. I have invited PDP leaders to come and meet Central ministers and take the process (of government formation) forward. A PDP-BJP government is for the benefit of people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Madhav added.
Madhav said the BJP was always willing to discuss issues concerning development like construction of homes of Kashmiri Pandits and flood relief. While he did not give any deadline for the completion of the exercise or when the PDP leaders would arrive in Delhi, sources say further discussions are likely during the upcoming Budget session —the time when PDP MPs, including Mehbboba, will be in the Capital.
BJP leaders assert that JNU developments will not have a bearing on the party’s future with the PDP. At the same time, the party is hoping to utilise its “nationalist image” in the upcoming polls in key states. Senior party leaders assert that whether it is Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi or ally PDP, the saffron party will condemn anyone who stands with “anti-national” elements.
“I am not speaking in context of Jammu and Kashmir but only in reference to JNU agitations in favour of Afzal Guru. The BJP does not approve of the recent happenings, including chaos in the courts and attacks on journalists. But whether it is Rahul Gandhi or the PDP, the BJP will condemn whosoever stands with anti-national elements,” says BJP general secretary and Haryana in charge Anil Jain.
PDP team to be in Delhi for ‘structured dialogue’
Srinagar: To further engage the alliance partners, the PDP president is likely to send a team of emissaries to New Delhi, where they will hold a “structured dialogue” with central BJP leaders and discuss modalities to re-stitch the alliance. Mehbooba’s emissaries will put forward the PDP’s concerns before BJP’s central leaders and try to find a way out that will be suitable to both parties, said a senior PDP leader. “The party president has to decide who will be a part of the team which will initiate a structured dialogue with BJP leaders to finalise modalities for government formation in the state,” said the PDP leader.
