‘All is still not well between PDP-BJP’
Kashmir Scenario Exclusive
Srinagar: PDP is now assuming the reins of power again with BJP, dubbed by many as marriage of North Pole and South Pole. But, PDP-BJP relation for 10 months was marred by bitterness and sore realities.
All eyes are on Mehbooba Mufti. The big test for Mehbooba Mufti is to tame the arrogance of his senior party ministers and make them perform upto expectations and how she will go with the BJP.
Presently, all is not well again as BJP has put some new conditions that may delay the government formation again. According to well placed political sources, BJP is demanding two more cabinet berths in the new council of ministers to, what it calls, balance the cabinet.
In Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s government, PDP had 11 Cabinet Ministers and BJP had only 7 (including Sajjad Gani Lone). Quoting “barabar barabar” rule of coalition, BJP is insisting that both parties should have 9 each Ministers in the Cabinet. It is ready to concede one berth of MOS to PDP. In Mufti’s Council, PDP has 3 Ministers of State while as BJP had 4. In total of 25 Ministers, PDP had (11+3) 14 while BJP had (7+4) 11 who included two of its associate members (Sajjad Lone and Pawan Gupta). According to sources, BJP is also seeking “balancing of portfolios” and demanding two of its MLAs’ induction as MOS Home and MOS Planning.
Meanwhile, Mehbooba Mufti, the Chief Minister in waiting, conducting whirlwind tour of several parts of Kashmir, which form potential support base for the party, and the angst he revives from ground zero was all about disconnected representatives of PDP and non-serious, arrogant ministers .
A senior PDP insider, while talking to Kashmir scenario said, “Workers everywhere gave very harsh and candid account to Mehbooba Mufti on the serious issue of working of ministers and connectivity of PDP ministers with their workers and people. The voices overwhelmingly provided poor grades and weak performance of the ministers to Mehbooba Mufti and felt disappointed the way party has dashed many a hopes.”