PDP Submits 11- Point Proposal to BJP for government formation in the state
Taking advantage of BJP’s debacle in Delhi polls, the PDP has now issued a fresh 11-point proposal to BJP for government formation in Jammu & Kashmir.
Several demands pertain to the central government like dialogue with Pakistan and Kashmiri separatists and citizenship rights for displaced Hindus from Pakistan, settled in Jammu since 1947.
BJP won 25 of 37 seats of Jammu division while PDP got 28 seats in the Kashmir valley resulting in the complete polarization of the two regions of the state with divergent interests for the two parties.
It has created a dilemma for PDP. Both parties appear concerned about satisfying the aspirations of the people of the two regions. The PDP is also wary of separatist forces for their tendency to hijack any opportunity to lead agitation in the valley.
It is probably for this reason that PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed wants assurance from the BJP government at the centre to engage separatists and Pakistan in the dialogue process besides denying citizenship to the Pakistani refugees in Jammu. The separatists have already threatened an agitation in case citizenship is granted.
Uncertainty clouds the government formation as party interests clash. PDP chief spokesman Naeem Akhter said, “We may or may not form the government with BJP as the core issues that the party will focus on during the structured dialogue to begin on Monday will be taken up seriously and the government formation will be subject to agreement between the two parties.”
He said the structured dialogue includes talks with Pakistan, peace in the state, internal dimensions, AFSPA, return of power projects and youth employment.
The 11-point proposal was also published in a local English daily in Kashmir valley.
The demands:
1. Normalization of ties with Pakistan
2. Talks with Hurriyat
3. AFSPA removal within one year
4. Freeing land under Army
5. No fiddling with Article 370
6. Return of power projects
7. Indus Water Treaty compensation,
8. Free trade, travel between Kashmir and PoK,
9. Status quo on West Pakistan Refugee Settlement
10. Coal mine allotment
11. Other issues like return of jailed youths outside the state, funding for Srinagar city under government of India’s ‘100 Smart Cities’ and World Heritage status to Dal Lake in Srinagar.
