New Delhi, Sept. 18: As Kashmir continues to burn, the PDP has reportedly sent feelers to the Congress high command its willingness to extend its support to a Congress-led government.
The PDP has, however, added that it is not willing to accept Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad as Mr Omar Abdullah’s replacement but may not be averse to accepting the Kashmir PCC chief, Mr Saifuddin Soz.
The Congress is not keen to take charge of the state administration at this juncture and would prefer President’s Rule, sources said.
Despite, Mr Rahul Gandhi’s open support to Mr Omar Abdullah, there appears to be disquiet, both in the government and the party, over the current leadership in the state.
Reports from J&K reaching New Delhi indicated that the anger in the Valley is “aimed more at the Abdullah administration, rather than the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. (AFSPA)”.
Sources felt that even if the Congress decided to take PDP support to lead the government, it was “unlikely that the National Conference” would snap ties with the UPA as Dr Farooq Abdullah would not be willing to sacrifice his Cabinet berth.
In a house of 86 legislators the PDP has 21, NC 28 and the Congress 17.
A section of Congress leaders observed that, if needed, both the PDP and Congress “can form government with the support of the independents”.
However, the Congress is in no mood to rush things in the Valley.