The ongoing tussle between PDP and BJP has finally reached to a breaking point as, according to media reports, BJP has decided to withdraw from the alliance in Jammu and Kashmir. This new development means that Mehbooba Mufti led government is effectively toppled from the State. The tension between the two ideologically polar opposite parties has been rising owing to divergence on several crucial issues and the split has been on the cards ever since BJP ministers had resigned from Mufti’s government a few weeks ago. BJP President, Amit Shah, had yesterday called a meeting of Jammu and Kashmir BJP MLAs and party functionaries and the decision to withdraw support from the government has been taken after due deliberations.
#BJPDumpsPDP | It's Over! BJP pulls out of alliance with PDP in Jammu and Kashmir. Full details here https://t.co/XE2SfZtw8W
— Republic (@republic) June 19, 2018
The schism between the alliance partners was widest during the infamous Kathua rape case where BJP leaders from the State had alleged that Mufti government was settling political scores by targeting BJP politicians. The resignation of the BJP Ministers was a direct result of the perceived mishandling and political vendetta of Mufti government. Another major bone of contention between the two was settlement of Rohingya refugees in Jammu. BJP had alleged that Mufti government’s plan to settle Rohingya refugees in Hindu majority Jammu region, a voter base of BJP, was a deliberate ploy of demographic change in order to alter electoral dynamic which had tilted towards BJP during last assembly elections and during Lok Sabha elections 2014.
#BREAKING: BJP pulls out of J&K alliance Govt after repeated attacks on forces and civilians. J&K Govt to fall. PDP-BJP alliance over in J&K. BJP to make announcement shortly, decision taken after soft approach of PDP towards terrorism. pic.twitter.com/w0B1z8lYLM
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) June 19, 2018
Mufti government’s plea to Centre for halting anti-terror operations in the valley during the month of Ramzan, had also not sat well with the BJP’ core voter base and many party functionaries. The disastrous ceasefire decision further contributed to the disenchantment among the BJP supporters and solidified the belief among BJP party functionaries that the alliance was doing more harm than good for the party. In fact, a few days back deputy Chief Minister, Khagendra Gupta, had lambasted Mufti government on endorsing the extension of ceasefire. Crisis after crisis had made alliance with the PDP a liability for the BJP.
Following the withdrawal, it is expected that Governor’s rule will be imposed in the State.
By withdrawing the support, BJP President Amit Shah has shown that BJP does not believe in staying in power only for the sake of it. At a time when the opposition’s only agenda is to capture power by any means necessary (recent example, Karnataka), BJP has demonstrated that ‘Rashtra Dharma’ triumphs ‘coalition dharma’.
