Delay in Modi-Mufti meet triggers speculation of hitch in J&K alliance

Hours after the BJP announced its alliance with the PDP on government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that there is no proposal to repeal Article 370 which allows special autonomous status to the State.

The reply is significant as this is one of the assurances that the PDP had sought in the “agenda for alliance” the details of which, nor the position on Article 370, have been declared yet.

The agreement is to be given the final seal of approval at a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and PDP chief Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. However, 24 hours after the pact, there was no further movement; neither the timing for the meeting nor the swearing-in date was announced, triggering speculation that there was a last-minute hitch in the alliance. However, BJP sources said the Modi-Mufti meeting will be scheduled after the budget and a popular government will be in place in Jammu and Kashmir next week.

From all accounts, the BJP has conceded the Chief Minister’s post to the PDP and will get the Deputy Chief Minister’s position. While Mr. Sayeed will be the Chief Minister, BJP’s Nirmal Singh is in the race for the deputy’s post.

On Tuesday, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti and BJP president Amit Shah met here and later declared the formalisation of their alliance. In its 2014 Lok Sabha election manifesto, the BJP had said that it remains committed to the abrogation of Article 370.