Cracks have developed in the PDP-BJP coalition over the issue of engaging separatist groups and Pakistan in a dialogue to restore peace in the Kashmir valley. Instead of evolving consensus on the sensitive issue both the coalition partners are blatantly indulging into a war of words to address their respective constituencies.
After PDP vice-president and one of the founders of the party Sartaj Madni recently demanded engagement with separatists and Pakistan to restore peace in J&K, state BJP spokesperson Prof Varinder Gupta said those demanding involvement of the Hurriyat Conference or Pakistan in the talks are “intentionally or unintentionally” pursuing secessionist agenda in the state.
“Those who are advocating talks with the separatists and Pakistan are unaware of the ground reality as well as the agenda of the separatists and Pakistan,” BJP spokesman said, adding, “They are doing so to create a situation where they can serve their own political interests.”
As PDP leaders, including Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, is repeatedly invoking former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to impress upon the Centre to initiate a dialogue process, BJP countered this argument by questioning results of former Prime Minister’s peace initiative.
BJP spokesman reminded the PDP that Vajpayee had taken sincere peace initiatives but the same were not reciprocated by Pakistan and the separatist groups. “Neither the separatists nor Pakistan stopped their agenda for creating disturbances in Kashmir, instead they tried to inflict more injuries to India throughout its length and breadth,” Gupta recalled and reminded them about the Kargil intrusion and Parliament attack after Vajpayee’s historic peace initiatives.
On May 6, CM Mehbooba Mufti, while addressing a function at Jammu, invoked Vajpayee and argued that there was a need to pursue Vajpayee doctrine to bring back normalcy.
Cracks within PDP & BJP coalition over peace talks
