The ruling Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) top brass, including Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and party president Mehbooba Mufti, held a closed-door meeting of legislators and Ministers here to take stock of governance issues. They reportedly avoided any discussion on the growing communal tension in J&K or its relations with its coalition partner, the BJP.
Sources said Mr. Sayeed capped any discussion on the coalition with the BJP and its functioning by saying: “It was a conscious decision to align with the BJP. This coalition has to deliver.”
Concerns remain The PDP’s alliance with the BJP is being questioned by its senior leaders like Tariq Hameed Karra, an MP from Srinagar, and Muzaffar Hussian Baig, an MP from Baramulla.
Both the leaders, who in the recent past questioned the wisdom of continuing alliance with the BJP in the wake of growing communalism in the country, were not present at the meeting.
“I don’t think anything should be read from the absence of these two leaders. They were not in Srinagar. Their close relatives, who are legislators and Ministers, however, attended the meeting chaired by Mr. Sayeed and Ms. Mehbooba,” said a top PDP leader on condition of anonymity.
“This is an alliance of the North and South Poles. But that is how the mandate was divided in the State. This alliance is trying its best to deliver,” he added.
Focus on governance Sources said Ms. Mehbooba has asked the Ministers and legislators to focus on good governance. She reportedly asked party leaders, particularly Ministers, to reach out to people in their constituencies and broaden the interface with them “to ease day-to-day problems.”
