PDP blinks on AFSPA, Article 370 to reach 'consensus' with BJP, forms govt in Jammu and Kashmir

For the first time in the history of the Muslim majority state of Jammu and Kashmir, the Bharatiya Janta Party will be part of the government which is likely to be sworn in before the upcoming budget session of the state assembly. Well-placed sources have told Firstpost that the BJP has reached an agreement over government formation with the Peoples Democratic Party, which emerged as the single largest party in the state with 28 seats in a House of 87. “By the end of this week, most probably on February 27, the government will be sworn in,” sources said. Confirming the decision, BJP chief Amit Shah, at a joint press conference with Mehbooba Mufti, announced that his party will form a coalition government with PDP and the details will be out soon. “In a few days we will form a joint government. Mufti and Modi will meet to discuss the Common Minimum Programme,” Shah said. Mehbooba Mufti met top BJP leaders in New Delhi on Sunday as a precursor to a meeting that will take place between PDP patriarch, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this week when the new government will assume office. [caption id=“attachment_2118431” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  AFP[/caption] Renowned economist and Mufti’s close aide, Haseeb Drabu, led the PDP in alliance formation talks while the BJP’s team was headed by Ram Madhav. The final draft of the common minimum program (CMP) chalked out by the two sides will give more reasons to smile for the BJP which has never been in power in the state. Under the agreement, the PDP patriarch will be the chief minister of the state and his party is also likely to hold crucial ministries including home and finance. “The final draft of the CMP has been approved by top BJP as well as RSS leaders and it has been sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for final approval,” a senior BJP leader said. The two parties struggled for over one-and-a-half months, since the results of the state assembly elections threw up a hung verdict on 23 December last year. However, as the two parties are set to enter into an alliance, PDP has apparently softened its stand on key issues which it had put forth in its ‘Agenda for Alliance’. Ahead of alliance formation, the PDP had demanded that the BJP, which won 25 seats from the Hindu-majority Jammu region, should work towards restoring the original status of Article 370, which gives special status to the region. However, the BJP has not given any written assurance to the PDP on their demand. “The draft CMP will talk about respecting the aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir and the state’s position in the Union of India but there will be nothing on restoring Article 370,” a party source said. The PDP had also sought withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. The two parties have instead, agreed to start the process that will pave way for the partial removal of the act. The PDP had sought clear assurances from BJP on withdrawal of the act. “The revocation of the law should start as it has been a source of suffering for the people of the state. But given the volatile situation in the state, it can’t be withdrawn in a set time frame. All stakeholders have to be taken on board and when a consensus is arrived at between the state and the centre, the process will begin,” sources said. Although the Army is not happy with political parties discussing AFSPA and its withdrawal, senior military officals in Srinagar told Firstpost Kashmir is still not ready for the wirthdrawal of AFSPA. “Had the situation been completely under control then it would have been to easy to withdraw the act from Srinagar city and some adjoining areas, but it is not. An immediate withdrawal would unnecessary put the lives of soldiers at risk and make them venerable,” a senior army official said. While the deal clinched by PDP may be seen as a compromise, given that the party had resorted to hard posturing after the results of the state assembly elections were declared, the CMP may offer it solace since it has secured the chief minister’s post for its patriarch as well as assurances on transfer of some power projects to the state along with job and monetary packages for flood-ravaged people. PDP’s chief spokesperson, Naeem Akhtar said the two parties were closer to sealing the deal. “There are some issues which need to be sorted out but I can assure you that we will make the alliance agenda public before forming the government."