New twist in J&K: Omar writes to governor, offers support to PDP to form govt

Twist and turns continue in the curious case of government formation in Jammu and Kashmir. National Conference working president and former chief minister Omar Abdullah today wrote to Governor NN Vohra offering support to the People’s Democratic Front if the latter wishes to form a government.

Headlines Today, reported that Abdullah had written to the Governor, but details of the letter are not yet known.

Only on 9 January, the state came under Governor’s Rule after Abdullah approached the state governor seeking to be relieved as caretaker chief minister. In the latest Assembly polls, the PDP and BJP, which ended up in first and second positions respectively, have so far not succeeded in forging an alliance.

Abdullah was earlier asked to continue as caretaker chief minister on 24 December after his resignation in the wake of defeat of his party in the Assembly polls. His party could manage only 15 seats in the polls. The state must have a new government before 19 January when the term of the current Assembly expires, failing which Governor’s Rule was inevitable.

The letter of support assumes significance because Abdullah had soon after the Assembly results on 23 December last year made a surprise offer on 26 December extending his party’s support to PDP, which has 28 MLAs, in government formation.

The party had in fact even reiterated its support to PDP later as well although no formal communication was established between the two. This letter is the first official communication announcing support.

“As stated by our working president Omar Abdullah, our offer of unconditional support to the PDP, which has emerged as the single largest party in the state stands and this remains unchanged. There has been absolutely no change in this,” NC spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu had said in Srinagar on 31 December. “As far as the premise of the support to PDP is concerned, it is based on the fact that PDP has emerged as the single largest party and we want to extend an opportunity to PDP to not have to compromise on its apparent regional agenda,” Mattu said.

The PDP had not accepted the offer of the National Conference so far, although there are fears that the party will risk its political future by aligning with the BJP. The PDP has major differences with the BJP on key issues like Article 370 and on the continuation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, or AFSPA in the strife-torn state.

The regional outfit is also wary about angering its supporters in the Valley who had made their choice quite clear by not allowing the BJP to win a single seat in the region in the latest round of polls.

There has been no response from the PDP on the latest offer by the National Conference, but will the fact that Abdullah has presented an official document to the governor, condition them to change their minds?