The Congress on Tuesday offered to support the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in forming a government in Jammu & Kashmir, while admitting to its mistake of not forging an anti-BJP alliance in Jharkhand.
The J&K Assembly election result has come as a relief to the battered Congress, as it can claim to be the only party with a State-wide footprint. The dozen seats it has won have come from all three regions: Jammu, Kashmir and Leh.
Disappointed by the Jharkhand poll outcome, the Congress said all non-BJP parties should have come together. Congress spokesman Ajay Kumar told journalists that the results would have been very different had there been an umbrella alliance.
Fighting anti-incumbency in Jammu and Kashmir — the Congress has been part of the government in the State for nearly 12 years — it was anticipating a drubbing in the Assembly polls after its decimation in the Lok Sabha elections. So much so that not many party leaders were keen on even participating in television studio discussions.
The Congress was quick to hold out the olive branch to the PDP. The offer was initially made by the former Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and reiterated by the party spokesman.
Besides its eagerness to keep another State away from the BJP’s control, an added consideration for the Congress is the Rajya Sabha elections as all four seats from the State will fall vacant next month. Among those retiring are Mr. Azad, who is Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, and Saifuddin Soz.
PTI adds from Srinagar:
It will be easier to come together with Congress than BJP to form government in Jammu and Kashmir, senior PDP leader and MP Muzaffar Hussain Baig said here on Tuesday.
He said that PDP’s experience has shown that a coalition can be successful only when there is a common minimum programme.
Mr. Baig refused to divulge details of the common minimum programme saying that it would be worked out with its ally.
He, however, did not rule out engagement with BJP. “If the (elected) MLAs suggest that going with BJP will be more beneficial for the state of Jammu and Kashmir, of course their point of view will be taken seriously.
“But it will depend on the collective decision,” Mr. Baig said, adding PDP leaders will meet to decide on the coalition.
