Jammu and Kashmir government formation: PDP keeping all doors ajar

Srinagar: While the People's Democratic Party is holding talks at the highest level with the BJP in its effort to form the government, it has not closed the other available option. 

On Monday its spokesman Naeem Akhtar said a “grand alliance” with the National Conference and the Congress “is also an option.”

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti will fly to Jammu on Tuesday and meet governor N.N. Vohra on Wednesday, Raj Bhavan sources said. PDP patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed is, meanwhile, continuing internal consultations, holding one-on-one meetings with newly-elected MLAs to get their views on the available options.

The Congress, with 12 MLAs, has offered unconditional support to the PDP, which has 28 MLAs. The NC, with 15 MLAs, has also offered support.

The BJP is, meanwhile, engaged in hectic parleys with potential allies, trying hard to ensure a decisive role in government formation.

Governor N.N. Vohra had last week sent separate letters to both the PDP and the BJP inviting them to discuss government formation on January 1. The term of the outgoing Assembly ends on January 16.

Raj Bhavan sources in Jammu confirmed Ms Mufti is meeting the Governor on Wednesday. Jugal Kishore, president of the J&K unit of the BJP also has been invited to meet Governor on the same day. But it is not yet clear if they would hold separate discussions with Mr. Vohra or meet him together.

The governor should normally have invited only the PDP as it has emerged as the largest single party in the 87-member Assembly but since the BJP has claimed it has the support of six out of seven Independents elected, it became necessary for Mr. Vohra to invite both parties for discussions.