Governor consults Rajnath Singh as J&K stalemate continues

Buzz over fresh BJP meeting with Mehbooba

As the political stalemate continues in Jammu and Kashmir, governor N.N. Vohra on Tuesday met Union home minister Rajnath Singh and discussed the way forward in the state, which is now under Central rule.

Speculation is also rife that a BJP delegation could meet PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on the government formation issue after the 40-day mourning period after former CM Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s death ends next week.

The PDP wants the Narendra Modi government to create a “conducive atmosphere” in the state by promising confidence-building measures (CBMs), the BJP maintains it will go by the “Agenda of the Alliance” that the two parties had formulated for the coalition government.

Sources said the Jammu & Kashmir governor briefed the home minister on the political situation, including his meetings with key stakeholders, and a few administrative issues.

The two also discussed the way forward for J&K, sources said. Since Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s death on January 7, the state is without an elected government. Sayeed, then PDP patron, had headed a coalition government with the BJP for 10 months before his passing away.

The PDP wants the Centre to offer some concessions on its Kashmir-centric political agenda, including relaxation in the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, a demand that the BJP has rejected in the past. The PDP is also pushing for more financial assistance to the state from the Centre.

Last week, Ms Mufti had demanded the Centre should create a “conducive atmosphere” by committing itself to confidence-building measures for the state, failing which she will not form a government with the BJP.

Opposition National Conference leader and former CM Omar Abdullah has said Ms Mufti cannot keep the entire state “guessing” and must form a new government or be bold enough to snap her alliance with BJP and face fresh Assembly elections.