New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Monday said it is not mandatory for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti to follow her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s footsteps and become the next Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Let there be President’s rule for a year and then if they want election they can do it. If new conditions are imposed then it is an act of bad faith. It should not be a question of dynasty. It is not mandatory that after father’s death, daughter has to become the Chief Minister,” Swamy told ANI.
“If they negotiate with the new conditions, even we will have conditions. This is my opinion and there has been no discussion on it in the party. My suggestion is if they keep conditions then we will also keep condition that Article 370 be removed. If they do not agree with the condition then why this coalition should go on?” he added.
Swamy further said that both parties should sit and decide on the next Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister.
Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh earlier rubbished rumours of the PDP setting tough conditions for the BJP if they want to continue the alliance in the state.
“Sonia ji had come yesterday. She must have expressed her grief. It is natural. I don’t think politics was discussed. These are all rumours. The PDP has not set any conditions,” he said.
Sonia’s meeting with Mehbooba is seen as politically significant as the BJP, an ally of PDP, has yet not officially extended support to Mehbooba for the chief ministership after her father’s demise. (ANI)