PDP offensive
PDP is trying to survive on the political turf of J&K State especially in Kashmir Valley as a soft separatist party. After the BJP withdrew support from Mehbooba Mufti, she is trying to portray herself as a defender of Kashmir cause and claims that she was sacked by Central Government only for this crime. It would be very difficult at this stage to say that whether PDP can regain its hold in Kashmir Valley especially in South Kashmir. Mehbooba Mufti has said that Prime Minister Narindra Modi has failed so far to redress the grievances of Kashmiri people and accommodate their aspirations.
Making her rhetoric shriller in Srinagar, she said that Article 35(A) was a challenge for all Kashmir political parties and appeal them to be one on this issue and to come forward and defend the Article. She claimed that although there was lot of pressure from BJP on her she did not compromise on any core issue of Kashmir like Article 35(A)
While Mehbooba Mufti was trying to rebuild her image as a soft separatist in Srinagar, in South Kashmir at Kulgam, her rebel MLA Abdul Majeed Paddar organized a separate function in connection with foundation day of PDP and claimed that their faction was the real PDP. Six rebel MLAs were absent in today’s event of Mehbooba Mufti including the main face Moulana Imran Raza Ansari, Abid Ansari, (uncle of Imran), Dr Haseeb Drabu, Muhammad Abass Wani and Javeed Beigh (Muzaffar Hussain Beigh’s nephew).
Altaf Bukhari who was regarded as the main face of rebels, came with Mehbooba and said that his presence will shut many mouths against him. Mehbooba Mufti has so far tried to keep her flock together, but the Central Government has not made it clear whether in future BJP will try again to form the government or not. As Governor N.N. Vohra has not dissolved the House, he has kept alive all the options for the MLAs and for the political parties to explore. Horse trading is still alive and so the dangers of split in the PDP are also alive in Kashmir Valley.
