'Should unite to achieve larger goal': PDP favours pre-poll alliance with National Conference in J&K

In support of a pre-poll alliance with the National Conference for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, the PDP on Wednesday said that the Union Territory’s people should unite to accomplish the greater objective. Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) members wish to stay together, according to PDP Parliamentary Board Chairman Muhammad Sartaj Madni. Responding to a question on PDP and NC trading barbs publicly and whether a pre-poll alliance was a possibility, Madni said, “The PAGD was formed after Mehbooba’s struggle. She brought all together. Mehbooba is the anchor of the PAGD. So, we do not want any rifts in it. There will be nothing from our side to suggest that we do not want the alliance. We want that all the people of J&K get united for a larger goal to achieve that goal.” When asked if the party had finalised the candidates for the Lok Sabha polls next year, the PDP leader said the parliamentary board will decide that in another meeting. Responding to a question about the government’s claims of an improvement in the security situation, Madni said if all is well, then let them conduct the elections. “They have deferred the panchayat and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) polls. If all is well, then why are these elections or assembly polls not taking place? We want all to be well so that elections are conducted and the people get their government,” he added. Commenting on the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on Article 370 issue, Madni said the party has pinned its hopes with God. “The last court, above the Supreme Court, is there and we have pinned our hopes on that. Let us see what God does,” he said. When asked if the PDP has any further plans, Madni said the party leadership will sit and discuss the issue first and then see what can be done. The former minister, when asked about the suspension of several MPs, said this is an issue about the Parliament, but “I think that the book of the Constitution has been shut in our country”. With inputs from agencies