PDP to pull out from J

Srinagar, Oct 27 (UNI) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti has warned of pulling out of the Congress-led coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir any time, blaming Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for the prevailing crisis within the alliance.

The decision on continuation or leaving the ruling coalition was still pending, she said here.

Ms Mufti said the PDP legislators have authorised party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to take a final decision in this regard.

The resentment was brewing among the PDP legislators and workers, she said, adding they want the party to pull out of the Congress-led coalition government.

''We are not happy with the style of functioning of the state government. The people are suffering due to lack of coordination among the coalition partners,'' the PDP President said.

Asked why the PDP was issuing threats only and not pulling out of the ruling alliance, Ms Mufti said. ''We believe that the support of a big national party is a must for resolution of the Kashmir issue.

And that party is the Congress. Without its support, the issue cannot be resolved. That is why our decision is still pending.'' However, she said her party would not let the people suffer as the broader vision of the coalition has been distorted. ''We are holding serious deliberations. If the people continue to suffer, we would be left with no other option than pulling out.'' Blaming Mr Azad for the prevailing crisis within the ruling coalition, the PDP chief said the Chief Minister was taking unilateral decisions. ''Mr Azad does not take his coalition partners into confidence before any decision. He has disappointed everyone.

The PDP cannot be blamed for the present crisis,'' she added.

Ms Mufti denied that Mr Sayeed had written any letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi seeking her intervention to defuse the present crisis. ''We are at talking terms with Ms Gandhi. There is no communication gap between us. We can go and meet her directly anytime,'' she added.

Ms Mufti said another reason for not pulling out from the ruling coalition so far has been the support rendered by the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre to the PDP policies.

On the present crisis, senior PDP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig said ''all is not well'' within the ruling coalition.

''The PDP leadership is waiting for an emissary to arrive from New Delhi. If the emissary is able to sort out the differences between the Congress and the PDP, the alliance will survive. If he fails, then what will happen can be anybody's guess,'' he added.

Reacting to Ms Mufti's threat, the state Congress said it will not beg for the support of the PDP to run the coalition government.

Senior Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Vice President Abdul Ghani Vakil said his party supported the PDP when it headed the ruling coalition and never meddled in its affairs.

''But, they (PDP leaders) have been constantly creating problems for us. We cannot beg them for their support,'' he added.

Mr Vakil accused the PDP of ''being jealous'' with the growing popularity of Mr Azad. Mr Azad has done a commendable job and are all happy with his performance as head of the state, he added.

''It seems the PDP leaders have developed an inferiority complex.

It is very strange that the PDP is not happy with the performance of the government despite its legislators holding important portfolios,'' the Congress leader said.

UNI