Even after the end of mourning period, there were no indications on Monday about how soon a new government would be formed in Jammu and Kashmir, with the People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti maintaining suspense and the Bharatiya Janata Party saying it will wait for the ally to make the first move amid its wish to see the existing power-sharing arrangement to continue.
Mehbooba, who is tipped to be the next chief minister, has kept the suspense on over when she will start steps to form the government in the state where governor’s rule was imposed last Saturday.
"So far nothing has changed. Any further development on the formation of government would depend on how soon the party president is able to hold consultations and seek advice on the issue," senior PDP leader Naeem Akhtar said.
Mehbooba, who resumed work as the PDP president on Sunday evening at the end of the four-day mourning period for former chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, is yet to call the Legislature party meeting as part for government formation efforts.
"At the farewell function to the personal staff of Sayeed, the party legislators, who were also present, have thrown their weight behind the president on the future course of action. We are now waiting for her decision," the leader said.
Although the BJP, the coalition partner of the PDP in the government headed by Sayeed, has not given in writing its support to Mehbooba as the next chief minister yet, several party leaders including former deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh have expressed confidence that the alliance will continue for the rest of the term of the current assembly.
BJP general secretary Ram Madhav made it clear in Delhi that his party wanted the existing power-sharing arrangement to continue but said the PDP has to take the first call.
He also rejected as ‘mere speculation’ the reports that both parties have put up fresh conditions, insisting that no political discussion had started between them as Mehbooba was in deep mourning.
Asked about the uncertainty, he said, "The PDP can answer this question. They have to think about the process they have to complete from their side. It is for the PDP to take the first call from their side. They have to decide about their leader and come forward. I hope they take a decision soon so that this kind of uncertainty ends."
Asked if the BJP expected a smooth takeover by a new PDP-BJP government, Madhav, who had played a key role in firming up the coalition in March last year, said, "I am tempted to say it will be smooth. We will like to know what they are thinking. The PDP has to be forthcoming."
Sayeed had a 'grand vision' for the state’s development which resulted in the alliance between the two parties, the BJP leader told reporters.
"We had an alliance months ago with the grand vision of the state’s development. We are in favour of continuing that arrangement for the larger benefit of the state. It has been in the interest of the state and we want this to continue," he said.
With the mourning period over on Sunday, the BJP expects political discussion within the PDP to start now following which it will respond accordingly, he said.
Asked about Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's meeting with Mehbooba on Sunday which has fuelled political speculation, Madhav quipped, "What transpired, I do not know but I am tempted to believe that it was to express condolence."
Gandhi's visit to Mehbooba’s residence had fueled speculation that moves might be afoot for weaning the PDP away from the BJP to form an alternative government.
Significantly, BJP leader and Union minister Nitin Gadkari also visited Mehbooba soon after Gandhi.
The PDP has already given a letter to Governor N N Vohra, saying all its 27 MLAs support Mehbooba for the chief ministership.
Vohra on Friday had asked both the PDP and the BJP to convey their position on the government formation. Since the BJP did not convey its position, the governor's rule was imposed.
Meanwhile, former chief minister Omar Abdullah scoffed at speculation over government formation in the state, saying they were nothing more than well crafted smoke and mirrors, and decried criticism of Mehbooba.
Omar, the working president of PDP’s arch-rival National Conference, said Mehbooba was a grief-stricken daughter who is not ready to take over as the chief minister yet.
"You have a grief stricken daughter who isn’t ready to take over just yet. All the other stuff is well crafted smoke and mirrors, nothing more," he wrote on Twitter.
He said there was 'so much needless speculation about what is and isn’t happening in the PDP or the BJP and all of it coming from people who don't have a clue'.
He was referring to speculation about the Congress warming up to the PDP for government formation in the state and Mehbooba setting conditions before the BJP.
