Before BJP pullout, PDP MLAs gave earful to Mehbooba

Srinagar, Jun 28: Days before BJP pulled out from the coalition, at least 10 PDP MLAs had told Mehbooba Mufti that the party was losing ground in Kashmir due to the “unholy alliance” in the state.

The PDP-BJP alliance ended on June 19 after the latter withdrew its support from the coalition that was formed in 2015.

The BJP has accused Mehbooba of failing to maintain peace in the state during the three-year PDP-BJP rule.

A few days before the end of the alliance, around 10 MLAs had met with Mehbooba at her Gupkar residence to express their displeasure.

“The MLAs complained specifically about two office bearers of the party poking their noses into everyone’s business,” a source in know of the development said.

“We are the ones who bore the brunt of this alliance by suffering mentally as well as emotionally. Our families and workers are scared even to walk in day light,” he quoted an MLA as having told the meeting.

The MLA Tral, Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, accepted that he and nine others saw Mehbooba.

“We told her about the mistakes committed in the past and sought redress of the grievances. We apprised her about developmental and party issues,” Shah said.

The remaining nine included MLA Rafiabad Yawar Mir, MLA Wachi Aijaz Ahmad Mir, MLA Shopian Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, and MLA Kokernag Abdul Rahim Rather.

Shah said the Assembly should be dissolved and elections conducted for formation of the new government.

On the formation of alliance with the BJP, he said, “PDP had no other option. The Congress is no different than the BJP. But forming coalition with the BJP has maligned the image to the PDP.”

Another MLA from south Kashmir, Abdul Majeed Padroo, said they asked Mehbooba to strengthen the party.

“It was an unholy alliance with the BJP. The PDP will never repeat this mistake,” Padroo, who is representing Noorabad constituency, said.

The MLA Zadibal, Abid Ansari, who has been critical of several PDP leaders, said, “They (PDP founders) brought their relatives in the government and assigned them top positions in the party, while sidelining the deserving ones.”

He said the party should not repeat “the mistake of forming government with the BJP”.

Meanwhile, BJP National General Secretary, Ram Madhav, has been camping in Srinagar for the last few days.

He has met with BJP MLAs and Sajad Lone of Peoples Conference on Wednesday, and also called upon Governor, N N Vohra.

Speculations are being made about BJP trying to form the new government by way of horse trading.