Jammu and Kashmir: PDP, NC, Congress Alliance in the Offing?

Speculations are rife that People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference (NC) are likely to form a formidable alliance with Congress to limit the BJP from making inroads in Jammu and Kashmir. As per highly placed sources, Congress has shown keen interest in the formation of the coalition government. Sources revealed to Newsclick that an announcement to this effect will be made today or tomorrow.

Congress is likely to extend support to the government from outside.  In the 87- member assembly, PDP has 28 legislators, National Conference has 15 and Congress has 12. Together they easily cross the mark needed to form a government which is 44.    

It is believed that the alliance is likely to be formed in the wake up of recent rumblings within the regional parties, wherein several attempts were made by BJP to “break the regional parties” by luring its members to form a new alliance. Yesterday, veteran PDP leader and parliamentarian, Muzaffar Hussain Beigh hinted to join hands with People’s Conference chairman Sajad Lone. Calling Lone his son and his party a home, Beigh had said, “I was a friend of his (Sajad Lone’s) father Abdul Ghani Lone. I have also prepared the Constitution of the People’s Conference.” Beigh’s move is a setback to the PDP.

As per the Indian Express, Beigh’s statement was to preempt the PDP and NC from coming together. “Beigh’s move is also meant to preempt moves afoot in the PDP, NC and the Congress to come together and stake claim to form the government in the state,” the paper wrote.

However, as per the sources, PDP and NC are trying to garner support of other independent candidates for their alliance. It has been speculated that Omar Abdullah has met CPI (M) leader M. Y. Tarigami to amass support ahead of the alliance.

Leaving behind the differences, PDP and NC  have come forward to deny any chance to Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) which is trying hard to make inroads in the Kashmir’s politics. Sources told Newsclick that the grand alliance is in the offing and the announcement will be made soon. Meanwhile, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad has confirmed that the three parties have been considering the formation of the government.

“Hum parties ka yeh kehna tha ki kyu na hum ikatthe ho jaye aur sarkar banaye. Abhi woh stage sarkar banane wali nahi hai, ek sujaav ke taur par abhi batcheet chal rahi hai. (We – Congress, PDP and NC- have been thinking on why don’t we come together to form a government. We haven’t reached the stage of government but talks are going on. Right now, its only a suggestion),” ANI quoted Azad as saying. Political observers believe that the if and when the alliance forms, it will be a huge setback to the BJP and People’s Conference Sajad Lone, who has been openly supporting Narendra Modi.

UPDATE: Confirming the Newsclick exclusive, senior PDP leader and former Finance Minister Altaf Bukhari has confirmed the alliance between PDP, NC and Congress.