AFSPA, a hurdle in BJP-PDP alliance

The two parties will form government in February, says BJP leader

With a coalition PDP-BJP government imminent in Jammu and Kashmir, sources in both the parties said a last-minute point of contention between the two is the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

While the Peoples Democratic Party wants the AFSPA to be lifted from a few places to have something to sell to the Kashmir valley from its ‘marriage of convenience’ with the BJP, the BJP, according to sources, does not even want any mention of the AFSPA.

“While so far we haven’t gone into structured talks where we could discuss the specifics, the AFSPA does form an important point in the PDP’s Common Minimum Programme [CMP] and it will be something where we will have to arrive at a language that is acceptable to those who gave us the mandate, and which is not inconsistent with our ideologies,” Nirmal Singh, senior BJP legislator, told The Hindu .

Mr. Singh, who, according to sources in BJP in Delhi, is tipped to be J&K’s next Deputy Chief Minister, said the two parties would form a government in February.

While there seems to be little doubt over government formation in February, according to sources in Delhi, the PDP wants to avoid a few ‘controversial’ dates for swearing-in and ensure that their alliance with the BJP happens after February 11.

Problem dates

February 9 is the death anniversary of Afzal Guru, who was hanged in 2013 in connection with the 2002 Parliament attack case. Though convicted, Guru’s execution had raised several questions regarding the criminal justice system. February 11 is the death anniversary of pro-Independence Kashmiri leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front’s chief, Maqbool Bhat, who was hanged in 1984. The Kashmir Valley observes a shutdown on both days, with demonstrations, protests and clashes at several places being the norm.

Sources in the PDP confirmed that a coalition government with the BJP will be in place in February, but said they are yet to talk specifics.

“We do not have too many points of contention with the BJP actually,” PDP chief spokesperson Naeem Akhter told The Hindu . “While we want to elicit some promises on issues like the AFSPA before the government formation, the BJP understands that they cannot find a coalition partner like us.”