Now or never

Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's comments crediting not just the separatist Hurriyat but also Pakistan for the smooth Assembly elections in the state have embarrassed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) no end. Both Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have disassociated the government and the BJP from the comments. However, they were careful to stress that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-BJP coalition in the state would be guided by the common minimum programme, clearly keen not to rock the boat within two days of Sayeed's council of ministers being sworn in. BJP insiders concede that their MLAs and the rank and file were anxious that people might return to the tried and tested Congress in Jammu, if the BJP couldn't represent its interests in the state government. The region has traditionally voted for the Congress, as the party had more likelihood of forming a coalition with either the PDP or the National Conference. This is the first election in which the BJP has performed so well in Jammu.