Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s speeches, in the run-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the State, underline the reasons that brought together the PDP and the BJP, ideologically poles apart. He and other PDP leaders are awaiting a “Vajpayesque approach towards Kashmir and Pakistan,” says an aide of Mr. Sayeed.
In a reflection of the continuing trust deficit between the allies, Mr. Sayeed’s recent speech stressed: “I am not a scheming person and don’t enter into any political deal for personal gains. My life is an open book.”
Setting the tone for the visit of Mr. Modi, coaxed by the PDP into addressing a rally in Srinagar when he was planning to visit Jammu to inaugurate a power project, Mr. Sayeed said: “This alliance with the BJP is a great opportunity to change the destiny of the people of the State.”
Mr. Sayeed, in most speeches, referred to the initiatives taken by the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. A top aide of Mr. Sayeed said the PDP expected Mr. Modi to reflect “a Vajpayesque approach.” “We are positive about Mr. Modi’s visit. We expect him to reach out to all stakeholders in Kashmir and also to Pakistan like Vajpayeeji,” he said. “The Mufti believes there is no other way than a dialogue to address the problem. Even the adventures like that of [the former Pakistani President Pervez ] Musharraf [in Kargil] would only lead to the table,” he said, quoting Mr. Sayeed.
Eight months on, the PDP has failed to justify its decision to join hands with the BJP. Sources said Mr. Sayeed recently faced questions from within the party over the flood relief package that failed to materialise even one year after the disaster. Greater Kashmir, a local daily, on Friday said Mr. Modi would announce a development package worth Rs. 1 lakh crore.
