As Kashmir continues to burn, the PDP has reportedly sent feelers to the Congress high command to take charge of the government. Sources disclosed that the PDP leadership has indicated to the Congress that the outfit is willing to extend 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. The PDP might not oppose Kashmir PCC chief Saifuddin Soz as the head of a Congress-led government.
The Congress, on the other hand, is not keen to take charge of the state administration at this juncture and would prefer President’s Rule if the situation continues to deteriorate in the Valley, sources said.
Meanwhile, despite AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s open support to J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah, it appears there is 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 dilution of 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 at this juncture. A senior Congress functionary felt that “Dr Farooq Abdullah would not be willing to sacrifice his Cabinet berth.” As for electoral calculations, in a House of 86 legislators the PDP has 21, NC 28 and 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.
Reports from Srinagar also pointed fingers at Omar Abdullah’s administration for the delay in setting up three crucial commissions — vigilance commission, Information commission and state accountability commission. The Congress high command was also informed of the CM’s “long absence from the state” and that his penchant for spending time in New Delhi “has adversely affected the functioning of the government in the Valley”.