PDP-BJP is a political alliance first, then for governance: Mufti Mohammed Sayeed

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mufti Mohammed Sayeed today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and confirmed that the PDP and BJP would indeed ally to form a government in the state. In his statement,  Sayeed said he discussed the Kashmir verdict with the PM during the meeting. Mufti Sayeed said, “PDP-BJP alliance is a political alliance first, then an alliance for governance. PM Modi has got full legitimacy to deliver. An opportunity for him is an opportunity for us.” He added, “I share PM Modi’s dream to engage with Pakistan in making Kashmir a peaceful region.” [caption id=“attachment_2125261” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Image from PIB[/caption] Sayeed who will sworn in as the next Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said, “BJP got votes in Jammu, PDP got votes in Kashmir. Both parties should come together now to form the government.” He added that he told the Prime Minister they need to create the same atmosphere of hope hat was created in Kashmir after 2002. It was reported earlier that BJP and PDP had sorted out all difference in their negotiations. A report in Hindustan Times PDP’s Mufti Muhammad Sayeed would also invite the PM for the swearing-in ceremony, which is likely to take place on 1 March. An Indian Express report said that there will 12 cabinet ministers, 6 from each side and Mufti will be the CM, while BJP’s Nirmal Singh will be Deputy CM. The report also notes that there were hitches on some issues, “including the specific offer of dialogue to Hurriyat,” and that Mufti said he would only meet the PM “after a ‘complete consensus’” had been reached. According to the Hindustan Times report, other issues discussed in the alliance framework were “a joint approach on Article 370…accommodating refugees from West Pakistan, talks with separatists and confidence building measures to facilitate dialogue across the border.” Firstpost’s Sameer Yasir had reported earlier that PDP had demanded that the BJP, should work towards restoring the original status of Article 370, which gives special status to the region, an assurance that the BJP had not given in writing. PDP won 28 seats in Kashmir, BJP won 25 seats from the Hindu-majority Jammu region and none in the Muslim areas. For the PDP, the alliance with BJP has not invoked much confidence from the voters of Kashmir Valley, where there is a feeling of resentment against the PDP. According to an earlier report PDP’s critics took to social networking sites, newspapers and televised debates, warning the PDP that its patriarch, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, will meet the fate of one of Kashmir’s tallest leaders, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. “It needs to be pointed out that a PDP-BJP dispensation will not necessarily be ‘historic’ in a positive sense. In fact, it would most likely accentuate the Kashmir-Jammu divide because the state’s governance would be predicated on religious identity, not on civic needs,” renowned political historian, Siddiq Wahid, had told Firstpost. Despite the resentment, Sayeed’s statement confirms that the BJP-PDP will form the next government. Whether it turns out to be historic and a game-changer in the history of Kashmir only time will determine, although there is a good chance that this will be one of the scrutinised state governments in the country.