The transition of power in the Peoples Democratic Party is set to happen soon, with chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed hinting that his daughter and PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti, may take over the reins of the state.
“It is a democratic process. My only focus has been development. I don’t even get time to meet my workers. She (Mehbooba) has better access to them and understands their problems too, so she deserves it,” Mufti told the media recently responding to a question on the speculation over Mehbooba’s likely ascent to the chief minister’s chair. “She is mature enough to handle responsibilities. It is a democracy,” he added.
Sayeed, 79, has reportedly not been keeping well for a long time and the transition is expected towards the end of January. If it works out smoothly, Mehbooba, 56, would be the state’s first-ever woman chief minister. She has been, since the PDP’s inception, a driving force behind its emergence as an alternative to the National Conference in the state’s politics. The party was launched in 1999 and much of the credit for building its base is attributed to her. She was instrumental in mobilising and organising cadre for the party and is known as a hard bargainer.
When the BJP-PDP formed an alliance early this year, she worked hard to ensure that her father is accepted by the BJP as chief minister for a full term, not on a rotational basis.
But three senior-most leaders of the BJP, the party which is in alliance with the PDP in the state, told Firstpost late last week, that if Mufti hands over chief ministership to his daughter, than his party may have to also surrender some of the key ministries to the BJP, which includes the all important portfolios like Finance headed by Haseeb Drabu and R&B, which is with businessman-turned-politician Altaf Bukhari.
“We have already given away key portfolios to the PDP for the sake of Mufti Sahib. She is young and there are senior leaders in the BJP who are better suited for the post of chief minister,” a senior BJP leader from Jammu told Firstpost over the phone.
Although it is not clear how the development is being viewed by the core party leadership, two MPs and two MLAs from PDP have spoken out publicly against the party’s alliance with the BJP and how Mehbooba’s long walk to the top job will have its own share of problems.
“I see Mehbooba as a younger sister. Would I be jealous if she becomes the chief minister? Certainly not. She is the daughter of Mufti sahib. It is not a qualification to become a chief minister but it is no disqualification either,” Member of Parliament Muzaffar Hussain Baig had told Firstpost earlier.
Baig had said that the PDP will have to take the BJP on board before announcing any change of guard in Jammu and Kashmir. “Ultimately it will not depend on the collective thinking of the party. It will also depend on whether she has the backing of PM Modi.”
Political analysts believe that the PDP is in bad shape because of internal bickering and it may provide a handle for the BJP to exploit. “This decision will not be easily acceptable to the party. There is internal dissension and also anger among the party workers. Powerful elements are openly exercising concern over the functioning of the coalition government,” Prof Noor Mohammad Baba, who teaches at Central University of Kashmir, told Firstpost.
He said the fate of Mehbooba will depend on her ability to take people who matter in the party along with her. “The party’s legitimacy is being questioned by people after its alliance with the BJP. The decision to make Mehbooba the chief minister may end up further weakening the party,” he said.
The BJP, which has earlier expressed reservations about Mehbooba’s stride into mainstream politics, may also not agree with the PDP’s choice of CM’s candidate easily, “The party may try to strike some sort of a deal with the BJP to smoothen the transition of power which may put the coalition in worse shape,” Prof Baba said.
The National Conference has said that Sayeed is trying to “run away from his responsibilities to escape the tag of a failure.” NC chief spokesperson, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi said, “This reason for Mufti Sahab’s praising prime minister so desperately in the last few days was to get the requisite permission from the RSS to vacate the chief minister’s chair in favour of Mehbooba,” .
“If rumors and speculations are to be believed, Mufti Sahab is flying to Goa to attend an RSS-backed seminar with the intention of getting a green signal from the Sangh for Mehbooba Mufti’s coronation,” Ruhullah added. It is interesting that just few weeks earlier, Mufti hinted at a possible transfer of power in Jammu, marathon meetings and luncheons were already been hosted by Mehbooba for workers and MLAs.
However, a senior PDP leader discounted the possibility of an internal squabble over Mehbooba’s elevation. “It will be a smooth transition. Do you have an alternative inside the party today?” a senior PDP leader asked.