KL Report
SRINAGAR
After consultations with its newly elected MLAs, the People’s Democratic Party is facing a divide within to seek BJP support for government formation in the state, sources said on Tuesday.
They said at least ten of the 28 PDP MLAs have rejected the idea of an alliance with the BJP as it would go “against their mandate”.
While the party President herself has opposed the alliance, many senior leaders have supported a tie up.
The MLAs have been individually meeting the PDP leadership before the party takes a final call ahead of its meeting with the governor.
“If we go with the BJP, it will be political suicide for us. It is better to have governor’s rule if required,” one of the MLAs reportedly said.
However, the group which wants a tie up feels that this is the best opportunity for the PDP to turn around the politics of the state. “Six years is a long time in politics and if Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as CM delivers, we will be able to strengthen ourselves in both Srinagar and Delhi.”
The BJP being in power at the Centre is a clear attraction since central funds for flood relief will be the immediate challenge. A Modi-Mufti alliance is seen by the pro-alliance group as a coalition that can outlast the arrangement the Abdullahs had with the Congress leadership.
But the mathematical reality is being countered with a political one. A section of the PDP is concerned that the tie-up will lead to a backlash in the valley. “The high voter turnout was because the voters didn’t want the BJP to bloom in the valley. If we tie up with the BJP, the NC will benefit from it.” The anti-alliance group stresses on the fact that saffron outfits are carrying out “ghar wapsi” drives across India.
