PDP leader opposes continuation of alliance with BJP

PDP leader Tariq Hameed Karra today opposed continuation of the party's alliance with BJP, claiming it is not acceptable to the people of the state, and batted for formation of the new government headed by Mehbooba Mufti with support of "secular" parties, including Congress.
"In the present situation, when there is high sentiment here against the BJP-RSS, the need is to form a government headed by Mehbooba Ji with support and in alliance with secular forces particularly Congress," said the MP from Srinagar in a statement here.
Karra, who had been critical of late PDP leader and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for allying with BJP last year, said Mehbooba should open the ways of talking to Congress, "which is a secular dispensation" in the country.

"There is need for unification of the secular forces. It will be a secular government," Karra said.
His statement came at a time when the state is witnessing a delay in formation of the new government which is attributed to the official mourning period of seven days that will end tomorrow.
Hitting out at the BJP, Karra said, "For past nine months, I have strongly maintained that RSS-BJP is not acceptable to the people of J&K. What RSS could not achieve in the last six decades, they have achieved that in the last six months."

He said the situation is sensitive in the state and it is a difficult decision for Mehbooba but she needs to pay attention to suggestions of her workers. "RSS and BJP are anti-Kashmir," he said.

Karra said the "core agenda" of BJP and RSS "is, and what has come to fore, ideological ingression, administrative ingression, political and religious ingression".
Terming Mufti as his father figure, he said his demise has been "our collective loss. For me he was a fatherly figure."
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"I have put my views forward in a democratic way," Karra said.
Despite difference of views, the PDP leader said he suggested Mehbooba for the Chief Minister as she is "an undisputed leader of the party" and "at this time she can think on new lines and start a new beginning for the party".

He said PDP, with the leadership of Mufti and all other leaders and workers gave a new lease of life to people in Kashmir and gave people relief in governance, political and security situation.
"On what thinking and on which commitments Mufti Sahab formed coalition with BJP? Though it was boldest decision of the century, Mufti Sahab after Sheikh Abdullah's Accord, but the decision did not go down well with the people as its consequences were against the people," he said.
"At the same time, I must say Mufti Sahab's intention was not against people. May be he had thought that going with Congress must not be favourable for the development of the state and he also must have thought about the situation then," the PDP MP said.