‘Deadlock over govt formation continues’
Srinagar | Mar 01: With union budget making no special mention of J&K-as was being speculated, the dead lock over the government formation will continue as the PDP- which was anticipating a bunch of sops from Narendra Modi led government- has instead received a major setback.
The Union Budget 2016-17, has simply irked BJP’s former ally, PDP in J&K which has now cast shadow over the possible formation of government in the state.
The PDP leaders had high hopes that Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley — who had reportedly met Jammu and Kashmir’s former finance minister, Dr Haseeb Drabu— would make some announcements for Jammu and Kashmir, but Drabu had to return empty handed.
The PDP was anticipating major announcements for Jammu and Kashmir in union budget that would have paved way for government formation in the state. The PDP has been demanding a pack of CBM from BJP led union government.
Special mention of J&K in the union budget was one element of the new CBMs proposed by PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti after her father’s demise Mufti Muhammad Sayed, for continuing the alliance. Other elements in the CBM’s the PDP demands are–return of the NHPC owned power projects from the Centre, removal of armed forces, withdrawal of the draconian AFSPA, resumption of talks with separatists, along with major economic measures from the BJP-led Centre, before continuing the alliance.
While the finance minister has completely skipped Kashmir and PDP’s much anticipated economic measures, the government formation may get further delayed.
“We will not stitch any alliance will our demands are not fulfilled,” said a PDP insider.
However, both the parties are continuing its back talks to break the ice over government formation. (PTK)