HEADLINES POLL ARCHIVES FEEDBACK SEARCH REDIFF NEWSLINKS US EDITION NEWS DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ARCHIVES
In an apparent softening of stand, the People's Democratic Party on Saturday admitted it had no alternative to joining hands with the Congress to form a government in Jammu and Kashmir but remained adamant on the PDP's claim to the chief minister's post in a coalition.
"Congress should understand that the alliance can get going only if someone from the PDP is appointed as the chief minister," PDP vice-president Mehbooba Mufti said.
Mehbooba said it's not a fight between PDP president Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and Congress chief Ghulam Nabi Azad, but a battle of principles. "The Congress should understand that the PDP has got a mandate in the Valley against the National Conference and should be allowed to serve the people," she said.
Mehbooba said the Congress is creating confusion by making repeated claims about forming a government with the help of independents and other smaller groups. "The Congress should come and hold talks [with the PDP] and stop making such claims," she said.
Asked to comment on the October 20 deadline set by a group of independents for the PDP and the Congress to resolve their differences, Mehbooba said: "I have nothing to say on these deadlines, but let me make it clear that this situation has arisen only due to the uncompromising stand of the Congress."
She said her party was not rigid on the Mufti becoming the chief minister. "We have a galaxy of leaders who can take the responsibility," Mehbooba said.
Asked about the possibility of a split in the PDP if the Congress staked claim to form the government, Mehbooba said: "My party is intact. No MLA is willing to defect against the wishes of the people of the state."
PTI
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
