Mehbooba authorised to convey party viewpoint on government formation

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislators on Monday authorized party president Mehbooba Mufti to convey the party viewpoint on a government formation in Jammu and Kashmir to Governor N.N.Vohra.

Addressing media ater a meeting of the PDP legislature party at the Gupkar Road residence of the Muftis here, senior PDP leader Naeem Akhtar said: "Party MLAs today (on Monday) authorised president Mehbooba Mufti to convey its viewpoint on government formation in the state to governor, N.N.Vohra whom she is meeting tomorrow (on Tuesday)."

He did not specify whether the party lawmakers had elected her as leader of the legislature party during the meeting.

Mehbooba Mufti is not a member of the 87-member state legislative assembly and is currently representing the Anantnag constituency in the Lok Sabha. Her late father and chief minister, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, represented Anantnag assembly constituency.

Vohra had asked Mehbooba Mufti to call on him at the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday to discuss government formation.

State Bharatiya Janata Party leaders are also meeting Vohra in Jammu on Tuesday to convey their views on government formation.

The PDP president has stated categorically that she wants assurances from the Narendra Modi-led central government for time-bound implementation of the agenda of alliance between her party and the BJP before she stakes claim to power.

The alliance ruled the state in coalition till January 7 when Sayeed passed a way after a brief illness at the AIIMS in New Delhi.

The state was placed under governor's rule on January 8 after Mehbooba Mufti did not come forward to stake her claim to form the government.