Mehbooba Mufti resigned today after BJP pulled out of the alliance
In a surprising political development, t
he BJP this afternoon pulled out of its alliance with the PDP or People's Democratic Party in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP had 25 lawmakers and the PDP had 28 in the state assembly, where the majority mark is 45. The decision to withdraw support came after BJP president Amit Shah met with the party's lawmakers from Jammu and Kashmir in Delhi. The rift between the two parties widened following the central government's decision to resume anti-terror operations in the state after Ramzan.
Here are the highlights of the political developments in Jammu and Kashmir:
"It took you three and a half years and sacrifice of around 600 soldiers to realise that you should take back your support in Jammu and Kashmir. When you know how that government functions, how could you even support them for so long": Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on BJP calling off alliance with PDP
I have told governor we will not go into any other alliance, says Mehbooba Mufti after submitting resignation as chief minister.
"PDP workers had to face a lot, but they stood by us and supported us. We did all what we could by withdrawing cases and vouching for ceasefire, our efforts would continue in future too,"says Mehbooba Mufti after resigning as chief minister.
"Jammu and Kashmir is not an enemy territory, we can't have a muscular policy here. During Ramzan ceasefire peace returned to the valley," says Mehbooba Mufti talking to reporters in Srinagar.
Mehbooba Mufti to address a press conference in Srinagar shortly.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Jammu and Kashmir: "I think there is nothing to add to what Ram Madhav said, it is enough in itself."
Not surprised by BJP's decision, says Omar Abdullah
"Can't speak for BJP, only BJP can answer on what compelled them. I am not surprised with the decision, though I must expect the timing has surprised me. Can't say whether PDP is embarrassed or not. Little unfortunate, BJP worked with PDP for three years, the least they could have done is taken them into confidence," says Omar Abdullah.
Omar Abdullah says, "We hope the grim situation in Kashmir at the moment is dealt with caution and empathy."
He adds, "I told the governor that National Conference will support wholeheartedly and will hope for a constructive way forward for the benefit of the state."
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah talks to reporters after meeting Governor. He says both BJP and PDP are responsible for the situation in the state.
BJP ruined Jammu and Kashmir, says Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today slammed the BJP over its decision to pull out of its alliance with the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir and alleged that the party had "ruined" the state. The chief minister also brought up the issue of demonetisation in a series of tweets following the BJP's announcement.
"After ruining it, BJP pulls out of Kashmir. Didn't BJP tell us that demonetisation had broken the back of terrorism in Kashmir? Then what happened?" Mr Kejriwal asked.
National Conference's Omar Abdullah meets Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra in Srinagar.
It would compound problems further, says Congress's Manish Tiwary
Congress leader Manish Tiwary on Jammu and Kashmir: "The alliance was the most unprincipled and incompatible alliance that could have possibly been structured. This alliance was unworkable. BJP's act has sent out a signal to people of Jammu and Kashmir that mainstream political parties aren't to be trusted; it would only compound problems further."
He adds, "BJP should have entered an alliance, once they did, it was their duty to serve. It went on for 3 years and caused misery to people of state, it is a story in itself."
Attempt by BJP to evade responsibilities, says Sitaram Yechury
CPM's Sitaram Yechury on Jammu and Kashmir: "Such an alliance shouldn't have materialized, there was no similarity b/w these parties, this was the beginning of the problem. They never saw eye-to-eye, they came to share the spoils. BJP has been party to acts for 3 years, it cant back out now. This is an attempt by BJP to evade responsibilities."
BJP Ruined The State Of Jammu And Kashmir: Ghulam Nabi Azad Commenting on the splitting of the BJP-PDP alliance, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "BJP ruined the state of Jammu and Kahsmir. They're covering up corruption."
"The regional parties should have been allowed to form an alliance among themselves," he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
The PDP has called in for a meeting of its members at Mehbooba Mufti's residence this evening at 4 pm.
"Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti will submit her resignation to the Governor shortly," senior PDP minister Naeem Akhtar was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Pulled Out Of Alliance For Larger National Interest: Ram MadhavRam Madhav stressed that the BJP tried to keep the alliance together. He said Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited the state from time to time to monitor the situation. Here are some key points from his press conference.
- The PDP-BJP alliance was stitched three years ago.
- Centre from its end has made efforts whenever needed and whenever asked form the state government
- We have pulled out of alliance keeping in view the larger national interest
BJP General Secretary said the party favours governor's rule in the state as he addressed a press conference on the party pulling out an alliance with the PDP in the state.