‘Experiment of Govt with PDP failed’
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Mar 31: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today that Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has been doing commendable job and maintained that trend of increase in violence during the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)-led Government in the State, has been reversed during past about one and a half years.
In an interview to a news channel, Rajnath Singh said Malik was a very matured politician and as a Jammu and Kashmir Governor, he was doing good job in the State in all respects.
Responding to a query that there have been more casualties, both of security forces and civilians and militant activities were up during last five years of BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre, the Home Minister said the trend has been reversed during last one and a half years.
“If you take the figures of last one and a half years, situation has improved. The trend of increased killings has been reversed. The figures during the Governor rule have been satisfactory,” he said.
Rajnath said increase in violence during PDP-led Government in Jammu and Kashmir was one of the reasons for withdrawal of support to the Government by the BJP.
“The Government was not working as per our expectations. There was increase in some activities during the PDP Government. Therefore, we withdrew our support to the Government and came out,” he said.
It may be mentioned here that the BJP had withdrawn support to Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP Government in Jammu and Kashmir on June 19, 2018, leading to imposition of Governor’s rule followed by President’s rule in the State. The Assembly elections were due in Jammu and Kashmir by May but have been delayed by the Election Commission of India in view of security considerations.
Describing alliance with the PDP as “political compulsion” but “failed experiment”, Rajnath said the BJP committed no blunder in Kashmir. The situation was such that the BJP had to form the Government with the PDP, which was the single largest party and the BJP, the second largest group.
“The NC and PDP were not ready to form the Government then. Had they been ready, we would have accepted it. No Government was possible in the State. And, it was not good to deprive the State of elected Government. However, the Government didn’t come up to our expectations. I admit it. Not that we admitted this fact after three years but in between three years of the Government, you should have seen out reactions,” the Union Home Minister said and pointed out to a press conference addressed jointly by him and Mehbooba Mufti in Srinagar (in which there was some difference of opinion between the two parties).
“We did an experiment (by forming Government with the PDP) but it didn’t succeed and we came out of the Government,” he said.
Rajnath referred to some decisions taken by him during the PDP-BJP coalition Government including withdrawal of cases against first time stone pelting youth in the age group of 12, 14 and 18 years.
On the controversial statement of Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy on Kashmir, the Home Minister said he had immediately spoken to him on telephone and conveyed what should have been done.
“I expressed my opinion. However, I can’t make the opinion public as the Governor holds the Constitutional post,” Rajnath said.
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