The stalemate over government formation in Jammu and Kashmir continued with both PDP and BJP, allies in the dispensation headed by late Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, remaining tight-lipped about the future course of action.
There is a likelihood of a meeting of PDP tomorrow amid the party's assertion that BJP should communicate whether it was willing "implement" what has been agreed in the 'Agenda of Alliance' of last year.
"The party has conveyed its stand on the government formation and it is now for the BJP to make the next move -- whether they are willing to implement what has been agreed upon in the 'Agenda of Alliance'," a PDP leader said.
Senior party leader Naeem Akhtar has made it clear that PDP would review what was achieved during the 10 months of the coalition government with the BJP under Sayeed.
"Mufti Sahib had a vision for making Jammu and Kashmir a modern state. Due to his death, his vision is yet to be realised. The party under the leadership of Mehbooba Mufti will need to review how much we have succeeded to fulfill Mufti Sahib's vision so far," he said.
Describing the 'Agenda of Alliance' as a "sacred document" and not a piece of "scripture", Akhtar said it needed to be assessed whether the "common vision" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mufti had been taken forward.
He said there have been several "gaps" in its implementation and in this context referred to the issues like return of power projects to the state, developing of smart cities, return of land under use of armed forces.
"I am saying these are areas of concern of Jammu and Kashmir as well as national concern," the PDP leader said, adding BJP should do some stock-taking.
He said Mufti, with his stature, could "absorb" these concerns but in his absence PDP has a dilemma as to whether things can be carried forward in the same manner.
BJP, on the other hand, was tight-lipped on government formation.
Senior party leader and union minister Jitendra Singh said he has "no idea" about any differences with PDP.
"I honestly believe that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the entire country has moved forward on a development plank at a very fast pace and I wish, really wish, that the state of Jammu and Kashmir should not allow itself to be deprived of this opportunity," he told reporters in Jammu on the sidelines of a function.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the PDP's review of the performance of its coalition with the BJP was a vindication of opposition charge that the government did "absolutely nothing" in the past 10 months.
"Effectively making our point that their government did absolutely nothing for 10 months," Omar wrote on Twitter.
The state has been under Governor's Rule since January 9 as PDP and BJP did not stake claim for government formation after the Sayeed's death.
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To a question on the delay in the formation of the coalition government, Jitendra Singh said, "it is for the party leadership and the legislative party to decide the future course of action. But across the party line as I said, it is an opportunity for Jammu and Kashmir to be a part of the development journey led by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi."
On a question about the problems being faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir in absence of a democratically-elected government, the union minister who hails from the state said, "I am sure that the party leadership must be taking cognizance of the situation".
Earlier while speaking at the function, Singh, Minister of State in PMO, said a series of path-breaking initiatives announced by the Modi government during the last one-and-a-half year are aimed at benefitting the common man, the farmer, the youth and the poorest of the poor.
"These include Jan Dhan Yojana, Mudra Yojana, social security schemes and the most recent Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana announced yesterday.
"It would, therefore, be a great misfortune if the state of J&K does not take the maximum benefit of these welfare schemes," he said.
Singh said, "rising above political lines, all of us across the spectrum should join together to make Jammu and Kashmir an essential part of India's development journey led by PM Modi."
Omar Abdullah, while taking a dig at the coalition partners, tweeted, "Why is BJP in a fix? PDP needs to explain why it surrendered these issues for 10 months and still praised coalition."
Apparently referring to the PDP's stand of addressing the external and internal dimensions of the Kashmir issue, Omar said both facets of the issue were playing up and there was confusion about both.
"Amazingly both the internal & external facets of J&K's problems are playing up right now - confusion about Govt formation & Indo-Pak talks!" he said.
"No arrest of Masood Azhar; no FS (Foreign Secretary) talks tomorrow, no government in J&K. Too many noes," the NC leader added.
Singh, while turning to 'Vedas', said these were "not mere epics but were indeed the basic foundational guide books which teach us as to how we can contribute to the best of our ability and potential in whatever sphere of activity we are.
"It is, therefore, important to understand and realize the versatile utility of Vedas in diverse fields including science, economics and politics."
Singh, who also holds the portfolio of Personnel and Training, announced that all the young children, who are studying in the schools run by the Ved Mandir Committee, will be given free Insurance cover from his personal sources.
