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| BJP-PDP start 'structured dialogue' | | Ram Madhav arrives in Srinagar, meets Mehbooba | | Govt formation
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Feb 17: In a dramatic development, senior BJP leader and party's point man on Kashmir, Ram Madhav, landed in Srinagar on Wednesday evening to initiate "structured dialogue" with the PDPto end deadlock over government formation in the state.
Sources said the talks remained fruitful and that the breakthrough was expected by February 25, when the central government is expected to make announcement of some new CBMs.
Ram Madhav who arrived by a chartered aircraft at around 6:00 PM, drove straight to PDP President Mehbooba Mufti's Fairview residence, where the PDP top brass was waiting for his arrival.
Sources said at the meeting, which lasted for around an hour, the PDP leadership conveyed to the BJP top brass that "structured dialogue on government formation was subject to assurance from the central government that Kashmiri students studying outside the state would not be made scapegoats in the JNU controversy."
The ongoing row at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi over the crackdown on students had emerged as a major road block over prospects of government formation in Jammu and Kashmir. But BJP's assurance that Kashmiri students would not be made scapegoats is being seen as a breakthrough.
Sources said PDP President Mehbooba Mufti candidly conveyed to Madhav that talks would be futile until "the party feels that Kashmiri youth are safe."
Sources said Mehbooba apprehended that the central government would tighten noose on the Kashmiri students studying outside. "Mehbooba has categorically sought assurance from the Modi government that Kashmiri students are kept away from the undue controversy or that otherwise BJP should give up hope on alliance with PDP in the state," said a PDP leader privy to the meeting.
Sources said on this Madhav gave assurance that the PDP's concerns on students and other issues would be seriously taken care of. "I have been duly empowered to make commitments which will be fulfilled, so you can take my word that your concerns will be taken care of," the insiders quoted Madhav as having told Mehbooba.
Sources said Madhav insisted that there be no more of delay in government formation and that she should take oath as the Chief Minister byFebruary 20. But the PDP leadership sought implementation of new CBMs including return of Salal Hydel Power Project and the revocation of AFSPA in a phased manner, as assurance.
Madhav is understood to have made the commitment that all the things would get consent of Prime Minister of Narendra Modi.
Sources said the central government is also willing to announce some special incentives for Jammu and Kashmir during the upcoming Union budget session.
Sources said Mehbooba had been firm-footed even on deciding the venue of the meeting than to talk of the result oriented talks. "Even though BJP wanted to hold dialogue at the Nehru Guesthouse, in the heels of Zaberwan Hills, the PDP convinced the other party that Fairview was the only appropriate venue," the insiders said.
Sources said apart from taking suggestions from party leaders like Tariq Hameed Karra and Muzaffar Hussain Beigh, Mehbooba's brother Tasaduq Mufti was convinced with the "clear-cut negotiations held with Madhav."
Sources said the brother-sister duo has been actively tracking the developments in the JNU case and future of alliance with the rightwing party.
While the JNU students union President Kanhaiya Lal, booked on charges of sedition, was today sent to judicial remand till March 2, police has intensified raids to nab others involved in the "anti India protests." The PDP is optimistic that Kashmiri students will be spared from the controversy.
The Jammu and Kashmir state on the other hand has been under Governor's rule since January 9, two days after the then Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed breathed his last. |
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