A Mahagathbandhan In The Valley?

Mehbooba Mufti reaches out to rival parties to build a consensus against the move to alter the state’s special status.

- Asit Jolly

Are we witnessing the beginning of a grand coalition of regional parties in Jammu and Kashmir over apprehensions of an imminent move to dilute constitutional provisions that guarantee the state special status?

In a bold and surprising move, chief minister Mehbooba Mufti called on arch rivals, the Abdullahs, on the evening of August 8. The meeting with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and his son and former CM Omar was held at Farooq’s Gupkar Road home. Mehbooba said it was to seek their counsel and support on the threat to J&K’s special status. The perceived threat has arisen from the central government’s refusal last month to oppose a 2014 petition in the Supreme Court seeking abrogation of Article 35A of the Constitution.