Union Budget Holds Key To Break Political Logjam In Jammu And Kashmir

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir is keenly waiting to see what the Union Budget holds for the state. Well, it's not about reviving state's ailing economy but whether Finance Minister Arun Jaitely will resuscitate comatose alliance between the PDP and the BJP.   

The PDP is hoping that finance minister, who is a great supporter of continuance of alliance between the two parties, will try to address some of the key concerns of party leader Mehbooba Mufti and give her a reason to form the government in the state. Jammu and Kashmir is under Governor's rule after the death of chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Since then efforts to form the government have failed because Ms Mufti is of the view that government formation is meaningless unless some specific political and economic initiatives for Jammu and Kashmir are taken by the Centre and the BJP. Her close aide Haseeb Drabu who had co-authored agenda of alliance with BJP's Ram Madhav last year is back in Delhi for last two weeks to repair the strained relations between the two parties. Mr Drabu has held several meetings with top BJP leaders and central ministers but it has not broken the ice.

PDP insiders hope that one of the key demands Budget is expected to address is return of two power projects to the state government. They say Mr Jaitely can allocate money for the purchase of power projects owned by the NHPC.

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The state is facing huge power deficit and return of these projects can make a turnaround in power scenario in the state. If the finance minister makes it a part of his Budget it will indicate the seriousness of the BJP and the central government to fulfil the promises it has made in the common agenda with the PDP.  

While most of the PDP leaders are hopeful that both sides will iron out differences and the government will be formed soon, Ms Mehbooba Mufti has again indicated that the suspense over government formation is far from over.

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Speaking at a party convention in Anantnag today, Ms Mufti said, "If we really want to turnaround the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, we will have to not only involve Pakistan in a sustained dialogue but at the same time take some bold political and economic initiatives on the internal front to address the concerns of the state's people and do away with the past injustices done with them."