Early Times Report
srinagar, July 3: In politics, there are no permanent foes and enemies. These words fit on political parties in Jammu and Kashmir who are making all efforts to form government in the state.
These parties keep everyone guessing by holding backdoor talks with leaders of other parties to ensure formation of government in the state.
Sources said all political parties are these days busy trying to lure disgruntled MLAs of other parties to reach to the target of 44 seats required for government formation.
Two former ministers of the previous Mehbooba Mufti-led government, according to sources, are trying to bring together the disgruntled lot from the PDP, few Congress and NC MLAs, and independent MLAs to ensure BJP government in the state.
"If they manage to do so, then BJP will form the government in the state," a BJP leader said.
Both these former ministers, Imran Ansari and Sajad Lone are seen close to former finance minister Haseeb Drabu, the architect of the PDP-BJP government.
However, Mehbooba removed him as the finance minister after his speech in New Delhi early this year where he described Kashmir as a social problem. Drabu and Lone are considered to be very close to BJP general secretary Ram Madhav.
Similarly, Imran's uncle Abid Ansari, who is MLA Zadibal, has openly revolted against the PDP. Both Imran and Abid held Mehbooba Mufti responsible for the fall of the PDP-BJP government in the state.
Another PDP leader and MLA Tangmarg Mohammad Abbas Wani also came in support of Imran.
Leading the revolt against Mehbooba, Imran, who was a minister in her government, called her "incompetent" and accused her of nepotism.
Similarly, Mehbooba is camping in New Delhi for the last many days. Sources said that she has been meeting Congress leaders to find out any possibility of forming a PDP-Congress alliance. "They are short of numbers but still trying to forge an alliance. The backdoor talks are going on," sources said.
The Congress party also held a close door meeting in Srinagar on Tuesday. "We discussed if there is possibility of forging alliance in the state. But we are short of numbers to form government with the PDP in the state," a Congress leader said.
However, the Congress state president G A Mir said that assembly should be dissolved to ensure there is no horse-trading.
Governor NN Vohra, who has not dissolved the Assembly, rather kept it in suspended animation, has made it all the more intriguing, something National Conference had been demanding to avoid horse-trading.
There are rumours that at least two leaders from NC are also eyeing the new dispensation in the state.
The BJP has 25 members in the Assembly, while the People's Conference of Sajad Lone has two members. |
