By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net,
Srinagar: The repercussions of recent drubbing of BJP in Delhi Polls can be seen over government formation in jammu and Kashmir.Taking advantage of the recent debacle of BJP, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued fresh eleven-point demands for government formation. BJP won 25 of 37 seats of Jammu division while PDP got 28 seats in the Kashmir valley in recently concluded Assembly Elections resulting in the complete polarization of the two regions of the state with divergent interests for the two parties. Both the parties are reluctant to enter in any kind of alliance before mutually consenting on the common terms.The fragmented mandate by people has already delayed government formation since 23rd December 2014. Presently, State is under Governor Rule.
Eleven Points of PDP for Govt Formation with BJP are:-
1. Normalization of ties with Pakistan
2. Talks with Hurriyat (Separatists)
3. Armed Force Special Powers Act (AFSPA) removal within one year
4. Freeing land under Army
5. No fiddling with Article 370 (Special Status of Jammu and Kashmir under Indian Constitution)
6. Return of Electric Power projects
7. Indus Water Treaty compensation,
8. Free trade, travel between Kashmir and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK)
9. Status quo on West Pakistan Refugee Settlement
10. Coal mine allotment
11. Other issues like return of jailed youths outside the state, funding for Srinagar city under government of India’s ‘100 Smart Cities’ and World Heritage status to Dal Lake in Srinagar.
BJP is yet to respond to the demands.