PDP considering pulling out of JK coalition govt

Jammu, Mar 18: The People's Democratic Party (PDP) -- a partner in the ruling coalition -- is considering pulling out of the Congress-led state government but the final decision would be taken after its Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting on march 25.

''The PDP top brass is analysing the content of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's letter to party Patron and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, which is very positive,'' a party leader told UNI, but added, that nevertheless, the party is considering whether it should continue as a coalition partner in the state government under Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who seems ''hostile'' on the party's demands of demilitarisation and revocation of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), he said.

The PAC -- the party s highest decision-making body -- will decide on the issue of withdrawal of support from the state government on March 25 at Srinagar, as the PDP was not satisfied with the Chief Minister's response to its demands, the leader said.

''The party will announce its stand on pullout after the PAC meeting (on March 25),'' he said.

However, the Prime Minister had reportedly turned down the request of immediate withdrawal of troops from the state.

The demand of revocation of AFSPA was also not being considered by the Centre, reports said.

UNI