KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Peoples Democratic Party will seek “more financial support” from the Union government and would like “written assurance” on it from Prime Minister Narendra Modi before the party continues its alliance with BJP, KNS has learnt.
Reliable sources said that before taking oath as chief minister of the state will the former alliance partner BJP, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti has said that “Union government should give a written assurance that it will provide more financial support to Jammu and Kashmir in addition” to the PM’s Rs 80000 crore package announced last year in November.
Sources said the recent meeting of Union Finance Secretary RP Watal with Mehbooba was held in this backdrop.
“The Union government has agreed to the demand of the PDP leadership, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is very likely to call Mehbooba Mufti for a meeting,” sources said.
The demand of additional financial assistance has risen due to devastating floods in 2014, and development needs of the state.
Besides additional financial support, PDP will raise the demand of returning state’s Hydel power projects from National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC).
PDP held a crucial meeting on Sunday chaired by Mehbooba and was attended by core group members and top leaders of the party.
Sources said that Mehbooba welcomed the thaw in Indo-Pak ties and the continuing of dialogue in the aftermath of Pathankot Airbase attack.
“Dialogue between India and Pakistan has a positive impact on Kashmir. We welcome the dialogue. Our party’s policy is to be a harbinger of peace and prosperity of the state. We will insist that both India and Pakistan should take all issues on the dialogue table, including Jammu and Kashmir for peace and prosperity in the state,” sources quoted PDP president as saying during the meeting yesterday.
Sources said that the PDP president vowed in the meeting that the party will take forward late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s agenda and vision for the Jammu and Kashmir state.