Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, while addressing the media in Srinagar, said that she was not shocked over the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) move to snap ties with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
“I am not shocked. We didn't do this alliance for power. This alliance had a bigger motive – a unilateral ceasefire, PM's visit to Pakistan, withdrawal of cases against 11,000 youth,” said Mufti.
The three-year J&K government, wracked by bitter political feuds and worsening security challenges, collapsed on Tuesday, 19, June with the BJP pulling out of its alliance with the PDP, setting the stage for yet another round of governor's rule.
While emphasising the fact that the she had formed the alliance against her father’s wishes and legacy, she said that the PDP will continue the fight for reconciliation and dialogue in the valley.
We had always said a muscular security policy will not work in J&K, reconciliation is key.Mehbooba Mufti, former J&K Chief Minister
“I submitted my resignation to the Governor and told him that we are not looking to explore any other alliance,” said Mufti, refuting reports of a possible alliance with the Congress and the National Conference in the state.
BJP general secretary Ram Madhav made the surprise announcement after the party high command summoned its J&K ministers for emergency consultations in New Delhi.
A few hours later, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti submitted her resignation to Governor NN Vohra amid a swirl of political activity in Srinagar and New Delhi.
"It has become untenable for the BJP to continue in the alliance government in the state," Madhav told reporters at a hurriedly called press conference.
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, whose party is the third biggest in the assembly, captured the drama with one sentence, "I wish Mehbooba Mufti had resigned herself... instead of the having the rug pulled from under her feet."
The BJP won 25 seats and the PDP 28 in the 87-member assembly and came together in alliance, two months after the December 2014 elections. The NC has 15 seats, the Congress 12 and others seven.
(With inputs from PTI)
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