‘Striking’ progress in BJP-PDP talks

Talks underway between Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ideologically-divergent BJP to end the political stalemate and form a new government in Jammu and Kashmir have witnessed “striking” progress, but there has been no breakthrough as such.

A senior BJP leader from the state — who requested anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to media on the issue — said its central leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, strongly favours strengthening of ties with the PDP and has sent negotiators words of encouragement. “It is because of their interest, positivity and encouragement that the talks have finally made some important progress, which is very striking,” he said.

Sources in the PDP confirmed the talks have progressed but insisted there has been no breakthrough as yet. “Our party president (Mehbooba Mufti) is keen on getting unambiguous assurances that the vision and mission of Mufti Sahib will be carried forward and implemented in letter and spirit,” a party leader said, adding that though the BJP leadership has told Ms Mehbooba Mufti that the Agenda of the Alliance already covers her concerns and demands, and that the same is to be implemented during the PDP-BJP six-year rule, she has reiterated that the Centre should initiate J&K-specific CBMs before government formation.

The PDP president wants fresh engagement on the terms of the alliance for political reasons. Kashmir watchers say that since she has virtually burnt all boats by publicly stating that the PDP is not disinclined to form the government but would not do it unless she received “clear-cut and concrete” assurances from the BJP, the assurances on the rider she must have already spelt out before the BJP leadership have to come publicly. The PDP cannot afford any undercover engagement even if “benevolence” is symbolic.

BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav is likely to meet Ms Mufti at the weekend to take the bilateral agenda forward. Both BJP and PDP are optimistic about the outcome of the proposed meeting. Senior BJP leaders from the state on Thursday held detailed discussions with the party high command in New Delhi where they were told that the latter wants to continue the alliance in the national interest and to ensure “vikas”, or development, of J&K as envisioned by Prime Minister Modi.

Meanwhile, a BJP delegation led by its J&K unit president, Sat Pal Sharma, on Friday met governor N.N. Vohra in Raj Bhavan, Jammu, to discuss the government formation issue and overall political situation. It is learnt that the party delegation on Friday sought some more time from Mr Vohra as the talks with the PDP have progressed.

Though several BJP leaders from J&K including some lawmakers have opposed any surrender by the party, the dominant view in the BJP is that breaking the alliance with the PDP would only be detrimental to its interests in the present circumstances. More importantly, some state BJP leaders have reportedly told the party high command that repeating its stupendous performance, propelled by the clean sweep in Jammu region in the November-December 2014 Assembly election, would be impossible to achieve again if snap polls are held in the state.