Faced with a growing pressure to scrap the alliance with the BJP, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has asked his People’s Democratic Party leaders and legislators to bridge the ideological gap between the two allies and allow time to the coalition government to deliver.
Both the CM and his daughter Mehbooba Mufti fear that there might be a revolt within the PDP as many party leaders feel that the BJP is hurting their reputation in Kashmir. On Wednesday, CM Mufti told PDP leaders that he has been assured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that things will change in Jammu and Kashmir. Highly placed sources in the PDP told this newspaper that CM Mufti wants his core group to wait until 7 November when PM Modi is scheduled to visit Srinagar. The PDP is hopeful of a huge financial package for the flood hit state. It also hopes that PM Modi will take measures for the betterment of relationship with Pakistan and will take the separatists on board.
Meanwhile, Mehbooba Mufti is all set to take over the reins of power from her father. Mehbooba has started making her own core group although some leaders are not keen to have her as CM. Tariq Hameed Karra and Muzaffar Hussain Baig, PDP MPs from Srinagar and Baramulla, respectively, did not attend a crucial meet chaired by her on Wednesday, giving indications that the transfer of power to Mehbooba may invite a revolt.
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