After disappearing from the public sphere for some weeks, the apparent process to form a new government has returned to centre stage with senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Bright also deciding to throw in his weight with Sajad Lone. In a statement on Tuesday, Beigh made no bones about his intention to join the Third Front and termed his potential entry into People’s Conference, his erstwhile party. He also said People’s Conference chairman Sajad Lone was like his son. Beigh’s surprise announcement has impelled the PDP, NC and the Congress to make efforts towards formation of a coalition government among them. The three parties are reportedly in talks to join hands to pre-empt a potential BJP-led government comprising the defectors of the PDP and possibly the NC. The situation is in a state of flux. It remains to be seen how many more PDP leaders would follow Beigh out of the party. So far, only five PDP legislators have publicly gone against the party and hinted at joining or forming a new party, two of them have since returned to the party fold. Other PDP leaders have not publicly supported the rebels but they have also been silent about their loyalty to the party. As of now, it is still not clear how many PDP leaders are ready to defect. For the process to abide by the stringent anti-defection law, around two-thirds of the party’s MLAs will have to simultaneously announce their separation from the PDP and form a new party.
The BJP already has the support of People’s Conference led by Sajad Lone who is a casually tipped to be a favourite for the Chief Minister’s post, should he manage to get the support of the potential PDP defectors. The BJP also has the support of the independent legislator Pawan Kumar Gupta. So, the party needs just 16 more members to form the government. And these 16 are expected to come from the PDP.
But with the PDP, NC and the Congress allegedly trying to form a government on their own, the tables could potentially be turned on the BJP-led efforts. The parties have let it be known that they are coming together to protect the special status of J&K, Article 370 and 35A. Such a position will certainly play well with the people. More so, when the case against Article 35A is at an advanced stage in Supreme Court. On the other hand, the talk of a BJP-led coalition generally eschewed any mention of the state’s special status. With the BJP being the dominant party, people feared the worst. The coming days are going to be interesting. Here’s hoping that this time around any ruling arrangement is in the interest of the people and not be driven by the urge to enjoy power.
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