BJP calls it quits, Mehbooba government falls in J&K

Vibha Sharma and Majid Jahangir
Tribune News Service 
New Delhi, June 19  

The BJP on Tuesday ended its three-year-old alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and pulled out of the PDP-led Jammu and Kashmir government, setting the stage for yet another round of Governor’s rule.

BJP general secretary Ram Madhav made the surprise announcement after the party high command summoned its Jammu and Kashmir ministers for emergency consultations in New Delhi. A few hours later, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti submitted her resignation to Governor N N Vohra amid a swirl of political activity in Srinagar and New Delhi.

Madhav said: “It has become untenable for the BJP to continue in the alliance government in Jammu and Kashmir.” 

“Under such circumstances, the BJP was left with no other option, but to pull out of the alliance,” he said at a press conference.

"Keeping in mind that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and in order to control the prevailing situation in the state, we have decided that the reins of power in the state be handed over to the governor," Madhav said.

Madhav said there was a growing sense of discrimination within the other two regions of the state.

He said the decision was taken after consulting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.  

He also denied that the decision was taken because the BJP was losing ground. “We are doing a lot of good work in the state,” he said.

In a press statement released on Tuesday evening, the BJP accused the state government of showing little interest in improving the state's law and order condition.

"The state government has not been effective in addressing the core issues of the state. The security scenario has deteriorated causing serious concern about the protection of basic fundamental rights of life, free speech etc. Daylight murder of a respected editor like Shujat Bukhari in the heart of Srinagar city is an indicator to the deterioration of the situation and the extent of radicalisation,” the statement said.   

BJP president Amit Shah held an urgent meeting of Jammu and Kashmir BJP ministers and some top leaders in the national capital on Tuesday.

The BJP central leadership deliberated on the party's strategy in the state ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and also took  stock of the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir, sources said.

"All the BJP ministers had been called to New Delhi for a meeting," said a senior Jammu and Kashmir BJP leader.

Muscular security policy will not work in state: Mufti

In her first reaction after BJP’s pullout, PDP’s Mehobboba Mufti said she was not “shocked” at the development. She also said she was "not looking to explore any other alliance”.

“I am not shocked. We didn't do this alliance for power. This alliance had a bigger motive—unilateral ceasefire, PM's visit to Pakistan, withdrawal of 11,000 cases against stone-pelters, etc., ” she said.

She claimed the PDP's alliance with the BJP hurt her party.

Presenting her point of view, Mehbooba said the PDP has always maintained that a muscular security policy would not work in J&K. “We need reconciliation,” she said, adding that the PDP wanted a “healing touch”, which she said what lead to the Ramzan ceasefire.

BJP's press statement

Here we reproduce BJP’s press statement in full.

Respecting the mandate of the people of J&K, the BJP had joined hands with the PDP to form the coalition government in early 2015. In the last three years the BJP has tried its best to work towards the state’s objective of the coalition government—peace, development and progress in all the three important regions of the state, Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir.

The Union Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended full support to our coalition government in all respects. A major developmental package of Rs 80,000 crores has been announced a significant part of it has already been disbursed. Towards maintaining Law & Order situation in the state the Union Home Minister and the Ministry have proactively supported the state machinery as and when required.

With a view to finding amicable solution to the aggrieved sections of the State, the Union Government has appointed former DIB as the interlocutor with a mandate to engage with different sections of the society.

In spite of all these measures, we find that the state government has not been effective in addressing the core issues of the state. The security scenario has deteriorated causing serious concern about the protection of basic fundamental rights of life, free speech etc. Daylight murder of a respected editor like Shujat Bukhari in the heart of Srinagar city is an indicator to the deterioration of the situation and the extent of radicalisation.

While the security forces have done a fabulous job in the last few years in containing the situation, the primary responsibility of maintaining Law & Order, which is managed by the state government, showed severe shortcomings. Ruling political dispensation in the Valley has shown least interest in improving the situation.

For the BJP, J&K is a matter of great national importance also. There is a grave concern in the country over the deteriorating security situation in the state. National integration is paramount for the BJP and it can’t compromise on that question.

On the other hand, resentment in Jammu and Ladakh regions has been growing over lack of proper development and progress and also a perceptible sense of discrimination. The BJP members in the government have strived their best to serve the people in the state including those in the regions of Jammu and Ladakh. Yet they faced a situation where the government as a whole has been less responsive and lacklustre to the needs of the people of these regions.

In such a scenario, the BJP thought it untenable to continue in the government and hence withdrew support from the PDP-BJP coalition government in the state. — With agencies