Attempt to split PDP will have serious repercussions: Mehbooba warns Centre
New Delhi, July 7: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has warned that any attempt by the BJP to engineer defections in her PDP to form the government in the state "will erode the trust of the Kashmiris in Indian democracy".
"If Delhi intervenes and breaks our party, and makes Sajad Lone or whosoever as the Chief Minister, it will erode the trust of the Kashmiris in Indian democracy. Any intervention from Delhi will be taken seriously," the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief said in an interview to India TV.
However, BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav ruled out any possibility of stitching an alliance with a group of disgruntled PDP legislators to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir which is under Governor's Rule since June 19.
"We are for continuing with Governor's Rule in the interest of peace, governance and development in the state," Madhav tweeted.
Madhav's remarks came amid speculation that the BJP and its partner, former secessionist Sajad Lone's Peoples Conference, were engineering a political coup in the PDP and get support of its rebel MLAs.
At least five rebel PDP lawmakers in the state have openly spoken against their party President Mehbooba Mufti.
Speculation of a new political alignment has been flying thick and fast in the state since the BJP pulled out of the alliance with the PDP, pushing the state into another term of the Governor's Rule.
Mathematical arrangements in the 87-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly are stacked in no party's favour.
In the House, which has been kept under suspended animation, the PDP has 28 MLAs. The BJP has 25 seats and enjoys support of two legislators from Sajad Lone-led Peoples Conference and one legislator from Ladakh.
For any party to stake claim to form a government, it would require support of 44 lawmakers.
In her interview, Mehbooba Mufti refuted reports about her party trying to forge an alliance with the Congress, describing them as "baseless".
"Why would I resign if had it been so? When our government (with the BJP) fell, the Governor asked me whether I would like to explore other alternatives, and I told him that I will send my resignation within an hour.
"The PDP could have formed the government with the Congress two years back. We did not do so, and formed the government with the BJP for a greater aim, which my father had envisioned," she said.
Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's peace overtures to Pakistan and Pakistan responding with attacks in Pathankot and Uri, Mehbooba Mufti replied: "I do not say that Modiji didn't try, but there has to be consistency. We invited Modiji to Srinagar, where he addressed a big public meeting."
"The people of the valley had great expectations, but they went home disappointed."
Reminded about Modi claiming to have a 56-inch chest to face challenges, Mehbooba Mufti said: "He will have to give at least one inch from his 56-inch chest for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The idea of India is incomplete without the idea of Kashmir."
She claimed that there was 70 per cent improvement in the situation in the valley when unilateral ceasefire was enforced during Ramadan this year.
"People heaved a sigh of relief. This ceasefire was not meant for militants, it was meant for the common man. By discontinuing the ceasefire, we did what the militants really wanted."
She said for the first time during the ceasefire, Home Minister Rajnath Singh came to the valley and no strike call was given.
Describing the period from 2002 to 2005 as "a period of magic moment", the former Chief Minister said: "At that time, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister in Delhi and my father Mufti Sahib was the Chief Minister, and both were working in close tandem.
"The people of valley still remember those days."
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
US President Biden assures peaceful transfer of power in January
Washington, Nov 7: Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Thursday vowed to ensure a peaceful and orderly transfer of power to President-elect Donald Trump in January and appealed to the people to accept the election results for the White House.
Biden made the comments during an address to the nation a day after Trump, 78, was re-elected as the 47th president of the US after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party's nominee.
Biden said he spoke with Trump and also with Vice President Harris, who he said ran an inspiring campaign.
Trump, who had lost the 2020 elections to President Biden, won this time both in terms of popular votes and electoral college votes.
“Yesterday, I spoke with President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his victory. I assured him that I would direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition," Biden said in his address from the Rose Garden of the White House.
"That's what the American people deserve,” he added.
"For over 200 years, America has carried on the greatest experiment in self-government in the history of the world," he said, adding that the people vote and choose their leaders and do it peacefully.
"In a democracy, the will of the people always prevails," said Biden in his address attended by members of his Cabinet and senior administration officials.
Biden said he hoped the election could also lay to rest the question about the integrity of the American electoral system.
“It is honest, it is fair, and it is transparent. It can be trusted, win or lose. I also hope we can restore the respect for all our election workers who busted their necks and took risks at the outset,” he said.
“As they did their duty as citizens, I will do my duty as president. I'll fulfill my oath and I will honour the Constitution. On January 20th, we'll have a peaceful transfer of power here in America,” Biden said.
Rebutting criticism of his economic policy, Biden said his administration is leaving behind the strongest economy in the world.
Biden said he also spoke with Vice President Harris.
"She's been a partner and a public servant. She ran an inspiring campaign, and everyone got to see something that I learned early on to respect so much: her character... She has great character, true character,” he said.
Biden added that Harris -- who took after Biden withdrew in July-- gave her "whole heart and effort" to her presidential campaign.
"I know for some people, it's a time for victory, to state the obvious. For others, it's a time of loss," he said.
Adding that campaigns are contests of competing visions and the country chooses one or the other, Biden said, "We accept the choice the country made."
"You can't love your country only when you win. You can't love your neighbour only when you agree,” Biden said.
His remarks are seen as an attempt to heal a country that appeared divided into two groups after the results of the bitterly contested presidential election were out.
"I know people are still hurting, but things are changing rapidly. Together, we've changed America for the better. Now we have 74 days to finish our term. Let's make every day count. That's the responsibility we have to the American people,” he said.
Noting that setbacks are unavoidable, he said that giving up is "unforgivable".
"We all get knocked down. But the measure of our character, as my dad would say, is how quickly we get back up. Remember, a defeat does not mean we are defeated. We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up,” he said.
“That's the story of America for over 240 years and counting. It's a story for all of us, not just some of us," he said, adding that the American experiment endures.
"We're going to be okay, but we need to stay engaged. We need to keep going. Above all, we need to keep the faith,” Biden said.
