Uncertainty remains as PDP in no hurry to form government

The PDP seems to be in no hurry on the government formation even as the party gave indications about its next move.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, which remains the centre of attention following the death of her father and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, is yet to open her cards.
“The family is still in shock and grief,” said a senior PDP leader. “Things will settle down in due course of time,” added the PDP leader, giving an impression that Mehbooba was in no hurry to succeed her father.
With Congress president Sonia Gandhi visiting Mehbooba to offer condolences on her father’s death earlier, speculations were rife that the PDP might combine with the Congress to form the next government in the state. The Congress, however, said the visit was “purely personal”.
The speculations though have been put to rest with the PDP indicating that it was also open to forge an alliance with the parties other than the BJP.
The question, therefore, remains whether Mehbooba heads the state with a fractured mandate between Kashmir and Jammu.
The alliance between the “North Pole and South Pole” had been worked out after over two months of sustained deliberations early last year with Mufti Sayeed’s long political expertise. He had shown the path with the coalition being the only alternative in view of the fractured mandate.
Other options, including an alliance with the Congress or National Conference, did not emerge due to the number crunch. “There is no other alternative than to continue the PDP-BJP coalition for the next five years,” said a political observer.
The only other available option is the holding fresh elections, which the state cannot afford at this juncture, the observer said.
Mehbooba will have to choose between the two options, either to follow her father’s footsteps or let the state go for fresh elections. In both the cases, the onus lies on Mehbooba, the observer pointed out.
She has to take control of the political affairs at the local level rather than being a member of the Lok Sabha.
Seven days have already passed since the state is without an elected government. Though the state has come under the Governor’s rule on previous occasions it is for the first time that J&K remains without an elected head due to the death of the incumbent Chief Minister.
Earlier, following the death of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, his political heir and son Farooq Abdullah had taken over the reins immediately.
The major difference between the two situations, however, is that the National Conference had a clear majority in the state Assembly. In the current situation, it is the question of carrying forward the PDP-BJP coalition.