‘Decision to go with BJP was dictated by realities thrown up by 2014 polls’

that the clash between the local and outstation students at NIT Srinagar was a challenge and adds that he is optimistic about the PDP joining hands with the BJP.

You have been involved in talks with protesting outstation students of NIT Srinagar. Do you agree they were wronged at some point and the police used excessive force to contain unrest on the campus

This is being inquired into. Let us wait for the findings.

Was there any attempt to seize the NIT issue by your political opponents to destabilise the government

I won’t say that. But it was a challenge which we tried to take up calmly, with poise and with help from all parties. I think it has passed us.

Do you think the PDP, once again, chose for itself a tough path by aligning with the ideologically-divergent Bharatiya Janata Party to form the government in J&K

We engaged with the new reality of this country and that had always been Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s politics The decision to go with the BJP was dictated by the realities that were thrown up by 2014 elections. It was actually a challenge which Mufti Sahib sought to convert into an opportunity.

Mehbooba Mufti spoke about J&K-specific confidence-building measures (CBMs) for about three months and would publicly insist on unspecified concessions and incentives as prerequisites for government formation. Critics say that after steep posturing she has surrendered for chief ministership

We never sought concessions. But she always said that there has to be an atmosphere of trust and understanding which can be created by perceptible action on the “agenda of the alliance”. It was for the first time that the Government of India committed itself on the floor of Parliament to fulfilling everything that is contained in the “agenda of the alliance”. Also, the BJP at its national working committee meeting in Delhi passed a resolution endorsing the same. We take those as very solemn pledges.

But there have been reports stating that internal strife and the inclination of some PDP leaders to form government with the BJP, bypassing Ms Mufti, is what prompted her to climb down from her earlier stand.

There was no climbdown. The BJP had other options also. I don’t want to name them but everybody was keen to form the government with it and nobody has taken so long in J&K to form a government. We give credit to the BJP, that it stood by the pact with Mufti Sahib and his daughter.

Given the bitter experiences of the previous stint, is the PDP optimistic about taking this partnership forward smoothly

We are optimistic. We’re here with complete honesty and sincerity. We expect the BJP to be on board in this enterprise — an enterprise of growth and peace which is primary to anything that happens in J&K. You were very close to Mufti Sahib. Was he regretful over aligning with the BJP Did he die a sad man I want an honest answer from you.

You were very close to Mufti Sahib. Was he regretful over aligning with the BJP Did he die a sad man I want an honest answer from you.

Certainly not. He left behind his political legacy. He saw the emergence of the BJP and its clout as a positive development. His dream was to end the discord between the people of Kashmir and those in Jammu and between the people of Kashmir and people of rest of the country.

What are the major issues on which you differ, which can create problems in future

Right now there is nothing as long as we stick to the “agenda of the alliance”.

People are openly speaking against the PDP cobbling up an alliance with the BJP and, on a daily basis, taking to social networking sites to vent their anger. Is this cause for concern for the party leadership

We respect everyone’s view but we aren’t driven by social media and breaking news. We take decisions in the interest of the people and we feel that one day we will come out with flying colours.

Five civilians have been killed in Handwara — when security forces fired on mobs or irate protesters that had gathered following allegations that an Armyman molested a local girl — in less than two weeks after Ms Mufti took over. Your response.

It is an unfortunate beginning for Ms Mufti. We see it as a serious issue. But we can make it an instance where justice is handed down smoothly and without delay.

Human rights and political groups see the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) as the root cause of such incidents as the security forces, particularly Army, allegedly use it with impunity. What happened to the PDP’s demand that AFSPA be withdrawn

In 2007, J&K was slowly but surely coming out of its problems. But things started nosediving and ultimately resulted in the 2008 Amarnath land agitation. Things on both internal and external security fronts continued to deteriorate. And the alienation level has gone up in the last seven to eight years so much that now boys don’t have to cross the LoC to get arms training. They are getting it indigenously. We’ve made sure that addressing this issue becomes part of the “agenda of the alliance”. But we have to relate it to the ground realities and that is what we are doing.

You mentioned boys getting arms training within the state. Also, thousands of people turn up at slain militants’ funerals. The security forces face hostile crowds on arrival at places to take on militants. Your comment.

That is an area of concern. But it is the same people who voted in the elections only a year back. They used to go to the funerals of militants before that also. Their coming out to save the militants is worrisome. But it is not an issue that can be addressed through a single action. We have to have a holistic approach; try to see how the level of alienation can be reduced and know why the youth who had a better alternative to the gun in 2002-05 have turned to it again.

But don’t you think it has the potential of creating more problems for you

It has. That is why we have taken the challenge. It is not a bed of roses. But we’re sure that with the help of the Centre, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and our partners we will come out of it.