Mehbooba, BJP stake claim to form government in J&K

Peoples Democratic Party chief and Chief Ministerial candidate Mehbooba Mufti, on Saturday met Governor NN Vohra and staked claim for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir with the BJP backing the first Muslim woman CM of the state.

The BJP and the PDP however said that the two coalition partners will discuss the dates of swearing-in ceremony. The BJP said that the two partners have to discuss certain issues and modalities.

"I am thankful to the BJP party for extending unconditional support to us in the formation of the government", Mehbooba Mufti told reporters after meeting the governor along with two MPs Tariq Hamid Karra and Muzaffar Hussain Beigh.

The leader of the BJP Legislative Party Nirmal Singh met the governor and handed over the letter of the support to Mehbooba for formation of the new government.

"We have handed over the letter of support to Government as per the decision of our Legislative party," he said.

The BJP, however, said it will sit with the PDP to work out various modalities.

"In time to come there are certain modalities and issues, which needs to be discussed and process of government formation will move ahead", Singh said.

Mehbooba, 56, said that focus of her government would be peace, reconciliation and development of Jammu and Kashmir.

"It (focus of the government) is peace, reconciliation and development", Mehbooba said in reply to a question about the priorities of her government.

"Once again I would like to repeat that the coalition government which was formed after getting mandate of the people by our party in Kashmir and while respecting the mandate of the people, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had formed this alliance and the government", she said.

Mehbooba said, "Jammu and Kashmir is a secular state and we have believe in brotherhood and co-existence because we have a composite type of population- Hindu, Muslim, Sikhs and Christians and keeping that in view that co-existence in Jammu and Kashmir, this alliance has taken place". 

"Mufti Sahib used to say repeatedly that he did not shake the hands with the Prime Minister of India but with over hundred crore people of India and the people who have choosen this government", Mehbooba said.

"I am very happy that reiteration of Agenda of Alliance has taken place between this and that side during past two and a half months. I am very happy about it because Mufti Sahib had forged this alliance for a larger purpose than just for the formation of the government", she said.

"While the good governance is very much needed for the state. In the state of Jammu and Kashmir where there is such a situation and you need to address things politically and economically as well and socially", she said.

She said that the Agenda of Alliance that was formulated during Mufit's time on the development, I am happy that we will continue to further carry forward peace and reconciliation in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The Agenda of Alliance formulated during Mufti's time has been supported at the highest level by the BJP whether it is Arun Jaitley ji or Ram Madhav Ji and above all the Prime Minister and the PM reassurance to us. I am very happy for that. I am satisfied will that also", she said.

Asked why Nirmal Singh was not present at the press meet, Mehbooba said, "You should note that even Baig Sahib (PDP MP), who had come with me, is still with the Governor as they would like to discuss the date of swearing-in ceremony".

On what confidence building measures demanded by PDP for past two-and-a-half months have been accepted by the BJP, Mehbooba said, "CBMs are not meant for Kashmir only. It means whole of Jammu and Kashmir. The basic purpose of Agenda of Alliance is to keep J-K together and put them on the same page and the distrust that exists between Valley and Jammu and the distrust between J-K and New Delhi needs to be removed".

"To fill this gap, Mufti Sahib took this step and formulated Agenda of Alliance and took initiative of good governance and development apart from reconciliation and peace", she said.

Asked about the dates of swearing-in-ceremony, she said "this is something that we will discuss with our alliance partner. We cannot take a decision unilaterally".

On whether there were differences on the issue of portfolios, she said, "Our portfolios are also that of BJP and BJP's portfolios are also of ours. What differences would we have on portfolios? It is a coalition government, we are not separate entities".

To a question on whether any assurance has been given to her by the PM, she said, "You have read the statement of Ram Madhav, they will fully support this government and also on all issues so that peace is restored in the state and process of reconciliation is carried forward and development takes place better than other states."

"Today I am confident that not only the BJP and PDP are with us but the people of entire nation stand with us and with this government and that is a greater relief for me", she said.

"The vacuum created by the demise of Mufti Sahib and the time of two and a half months taken to restore that confidence and trust to cobble up this government was worth it", she said.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Governor, Nirmal Singh said,"We are sticking to the Agenda of Alliance and we will definitely stand on that".

"We (PDP and BJP) shall sit together and will discuss various basic details shortly", he said to a question whether any conditions had been put from the PDP side. "There were no conditions from either side", he said.

"We have no differences on the Agenda of Alliance and we are committed to that. We have extended our support to PDP for the formation of the government", he said.

Image: PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti with Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra. Photograph: ANI_News/Twitter