PDP sends coalition hints to BJP

After her meeting with Govenor N N Vohra, Mehbooba Mufti referred to Modi's 'dream' of development

Invoking Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi, the PDP today appeared to be giving clear signals that it may not be averse to discussions on government formation with BJP, which welcomed the gesture.

Mehbooba Mufti, leader of the PDP which has emerged as the single largest party with 28 MLAs in the 87-member Assembly, met Governor N N Vohra and later said the "decisive but divided" mandate in the state was both a challenge and opportunity for Prime Minister Modi who has been talking about development.

The PDP chief met the Governor in response to his invitation for discussions on government formation while the leaders of the BJP, with 25 MLAs, will meet him tomorrow.

"For NDA government, it is a big responsibility. For Modi, it is a big responsibility. Jammu and Kashmir has been the biggest challenge for any PM right from Nehru till date," Mehbooba told reporters in apparent signals to the BJP that the two can discuss contentious issues that come in the way of the two parties coming together.

Whatever formation is firmed up, it should respect the mandate of the people and have the principle of "reconciliation", she said, adding "till that is not taken along, forming any government will be useless".

While talking about the opportunity provided by the mandate for both the NDA and Congress leadership, Mehbooba referred to Modi's "dream" of development and addressing the problem of unemployment. "But we cannot have development without peaceful atmosphere on the ground," she said.

She said "It (development) is not possible till Vajpayeeji's political process is taken forward."

Mehbooba noted that for peace in Jammu and Kashmir, Vajpayee had "started a political process. Vajpayeeji agreed to a ceasefire with Pakistan. He had started unconditional dialogue with Hurriyat. He had started a dialogue with Pakistan when L K advani was the Deputy Prime Minister. We got generous economic package. UPA continued it for some time and then stopped it.