Once again the government formation in Jammu and Kashmir looks as if it is a game of wits for PDP and BJP and in this pull and pressure, though there is hardly except BJP asking for more share of power cake, the coalition looks to remain intact riding on the hiccups of the contentious confidence building measures (CBM), which has been the PDP’s pivotal point of bargain. Mired by uncertainties, the three months’ impasse looked as if the State was heading for mid-term elections. For BJP the pressure tactics is necessary to get some boost as the assembly elections are due in five states of Assam, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and West Bengal and the fallout of Jammu and Kashmir can have some adverse impact over its fortunes in these States. During all these over-a-year journey there always remained a trust deficit and despite all confidence building measures the uncertainty loomed large on the government’s fate. On the other hand developments since Mehbooba met the Prime Minister have put an end to the nearly three-month-long stalemate. In the wake of Sayeed’s death, PDP had sought assurances on a timeframe for implementation of the Agenda of Alliance from the Centre before renewing the alliance with BJP for government formation. Although it is not clear if Mehbooba got the desired assurances from the Prime Minister, the steps towards government formation moved faster as the PDP chief said she was satisfied after meeting the Prime Minister. Delhi’s prevalence is very much visible in the government formation and that is one reason why so much leeway was given to PDP leadership, so that at least they cannot claim that there was discrimination. Whereas the biggest jolt the BJP got was the demise of Chief Minister and patron of PDP Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. The BJP leaders today have become political orphans within their own region and the minuscule one’s continued with their small works to keep themselves in limelight. Even if the party’s Central leadership insists on keeping the coalition intact at whatever cost, sustainability of the partnership would remain a big question.
