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PDP meeting today to discuss future strategy
KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 4/14/2018 11:01:21 AM
SRINAGAR, Apr 13: Senior leaders of PDP are meeting here tomorrow to discuss its future strategy in view of Kathua rape and murder case and political issues
Sources said the meeting was initially convened to mount pressure on BJP for resignation of two its minister Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga for supporting the accused in rape and murder case.
The meeting is also being convened in the backdrop of an interview of Tassaduq Mufti, tourism minister and brother of chief minister Mehbooba Mufti in which he admitted that the PDP and BJP coalition government could not come up to the expectations of people. He said the two parties ended up partners in crime for which the future generations in Kashmir will have to pay heavy price with their blood.
Since the two BJP minnisters today submitted their resignations to party chief Satpal Sharma in Jammu tomorrow, it is to be seen now what stance the PDP leadership will take tomorrow.
BJP legislature party is also meeting tomorrow in Jammu to decide about the fate of Lal Singh and Ganga. Senior central leader Ram Madhav is flying from New Delhi to Jammu tomorrow to attend the meeting.
On the eve of the meeting, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came out with a statement signed by its senior leader Nizamuddin Bhat in which it blamed the Centre and "hawkish and communal" elements in its coalition partner BJP for failing the purpose of the alliance between the two parties in Jammu and Kashmir.
"The conduct of communal and hawkish elements in BJP is giving serious blow to PDP's expectations on Kashmir and New Delhi's own attitudes are failing the purpose of alliance between the two parties," Bhat, who is considered to be a close aide of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, said.
He said it was time for the party to decide its future course of action, "befitting its sacrifice and hard earned reputation as a guardian of people's honour and dignity".
Bhat endorsed the sentiments of Tourism Minister Tasaduq Mufti, who had said that the PDP had become a "partner in crime with the BJP and the gradual schism of state's residents may lead to unprecedented bloodshed."
Sources within the party said Mehbooba Mufti, who is also President of the PDP, has been holding consultations with senior leaders of the party who have conveyed their displeasure over the statements issued by two the two BJP ministers -- industries and commerce minister Chander Prakash and forest minister Lal Singh -- during a rally in March this year.
"It is too difficult to sit with the same ministers who have been openly supporting people accused of rape," a senior party leader said on condition of anonymity.
"A meeting of senior party leaders is being held tomorrow and important issues relating to political, party and administration in J&K will be discussed," PDP chief spokesman Rafi Ahmed Mir said.
The leaders may also discuss the emerging situation in Jammu, he said.
Asked whether Mehbooba Mufti has given an ultimatum to the BJP to sack the two ministers, Mir said it was matter to be discussed between the alliance partners "and after that we well see".
Ganga and Singh had hit out at the police for arresting "one or the other person at will" in connection with the rape of an 8-year-old girl in Kathua.