No Mufti in the house, but PDP can fight another day | India News – Times of India

SRINAGAR: PDP has been reduced to just three mounting chairs but the picture emerging in post-370 J&K is confusing, and could well provide the party with a lifeline to fight against in the future.
The PDP had hoped that at least a double digit vote would emerge to form a viable opposition. The single-digit finish is made worse by the fact that not a single member of the Mufti family would be present in the meeting – Mehbooba had skipped the match and daughter Iltija lost to Bijbehara’s home ground.
But with a small group confronting the government in the assembly, and a party with name recognition and familiar faces outside, the PDP can try to reconnect with the masses and attempt to stage a comeback. It will have to hold on to its MLAs who have proven fickle in the past. The fact is that PDP, in its 24th year of existence, is facing a real existential threat.
Taking a bold stance, Mehbooba said, “These ups and downs are part of a party’s political journey. But the PDP has a vision and an agenda, and that will help us move forward with hope.”
It leaves BJP with a sizeable contingent, but limited to Jammu, playing opposition. While the ruling combine would hope for early statehood restoration and some kind of special status, the overwhelming mandate in its favor would prompt the alliance to challenge the Center to restore the state government powers delegated to the LG.