Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Dec 26: Governor N N Vohra today invited People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) for discussions on January 1 over Government formation in the State.
The BJP and PDP party sources told Excelsior that Vohra, has written separate letters to PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and BJP State president Jugal Kishore Sharma asking them to meet him on January 1 for discussing the Government formation with him.
The letters read: “Since the mandate isn’t clear, we need to discuss ways for Government formation at some mutually acceptable time”.
The Governor in his letter has said that the Government has to be in place before January 17, when the term of present Government expires.
Vohra has asked the two parties to meet him any time on January 1 to discuss Government formation. “I would appreciate, if you meet me on January 1 (Thursday) anytime to discuss the modalities over government formation and apprise me of your position over the matter”, the letter reads.
The PDP is the single largest party with 28 seats followed closely by BJP with 25 seats. Both parties have fallen short of 44 seat mark required to form the government in the State.
BJP is holding back channel parleys with leaders of PDP and NC and exploring all options for Government formation in State. However, some senior leaders of the NC have opposed alliance with BJP.
Earlier today, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav said his party is holding consultations with all important stakeholders in the State for providing a stable and credible Government. “We are meeting with all important stakeholders and our aim is to provide a stable and credible Government,” he said.
Madav held a series of meetings with PDP leaders including Muzaffar Hussain Baig for the formation of Government and also met some independent candidates. He said that to realise the Prime Minister Narinder Modi’s dream we have to provide a government that will put the state on development track.
The BJP leader said the talks with PDP are still at initial stages. “PDP is an important stakeholder and has got a major mandate. Mufti has got a five-decade long political career and is respected not only in the state but across the country. National Conference also has got substantial number of seats. It was part of the NDA during Vajpayee’s tenure,” he added.
Asked about BJP’s preference in choosing its allies, Madhav said it is not about the party but a choice of providing a stable and credible government. He said that the talks are still at the initial stage and no modalities have been discussed.
In the meantime, National Conference today said that it has conveyed its support to PDP for the formation of government. “We have conveyed our offer of support to the PDP through channels of communication with that party,” NC General secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar told Excelsior.
Sagar said that no formal letter was sent. “We have not sent any letter but we have reiterated offer which party president has made arlier. It is upto PDP to approach us for the support”, he said.
PDP spokesman Naeem Akhtar said his party has not received any communication from the National Conference so far. “If it reaches we will discuss it”, he added.
The independent MLA from Langate Abdul Rashid Sheikh today asked PDP and National Conference to join hands if they were serious about fulfilling their respective agenda of self rule and autonomy in the State. “I will not be part of any dispensation of which the BJP is also a part in the present scenario,” Rashid added.
Rashid said if the PDP and National Conference are sincere in fulfilling their agenda of self rule and autonomy which the two parties have been promising for a long time now, they should come together. “Why does not PDP accept the offer of support made by Omar Abdullah? It is for Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to explain. If they still fall short of numbers, I will also support them,” he said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel