People’s Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone and rebel Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Yasir Reshi on Thursday held a public meeting in Handwara constituency, setting tongues wagging about possible new alliance.
“I had gone for a condolence meeting and when we returned there were people waiting for us. I am an MLC and I can go anywhere. It has nothing to do with government formation. I was listening to the problems and grievances of people. I just went there and people came to meet us”, Yasir Reshi told DNA.
Reshi was among five PDP rebles --three MLAs and two MLCs--who held news conference on July 13 claiming that they were the real PDP and they have lost confidence in the leadership of Mehbooba Mufti.
Lone-led faction of People’s Conference has two MLAs in the 87 member Legislative Assembly and he is being seen a key player in the government formation in Jammu and Kashmir. Other faction of People’s Conference is led by his brother Bilal Gani Lone who is the Executive council member of Moderate Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
The fresh meeting comes amid political rumblings over the government formation post Amarnath yatra in Jammu and Kashmir.
Insiders said BJP is exploring the option of having the first Hindu chief minister from Jammu region in the state. There are also reports that Sajad Lone may get the deputy chief minister post. If sources are to be believed that there will be another deputy chief minister from the PDP rebels to make the government formation an inclusive exercise.
A political formation requires 44 members for simple majority to form the government. In the 87 member Legislative assembly, the political formation needs 44 members for simple majority to form the government. PDP is the single largest party with 28 members followed by BJP with 25 MLAs. National Conference has 15 and Congress 12 members in the House. Former separatist leader led People’s Conference has two MLAs while CPIM and PDF has one member each. Rest are independents.
