After the poll romance, neither the Congress nor the PDP is willing to admit in public that the chief ministership is at the root of their souring relationship.Both parties have their political compulsions which force them against any compromise. The poll manifesto is the PDP’s lifeline and key to its survival as a regional powerhouse. ‘‘We have not fought this election only over roads, water, and electricity. If we compromise on the very basics of our manifesto, how will we face our people?’’ a senior PDP leader said.The party is not ready to accept that the core problem is the CM’s chair. ‘‘We want power only because we want to implement our manifesto. That is why we want to head the government,’’ the leader said.The Congress’ outlook, however, is not confined to J-K alone. With Gujarat polls on its mind, the party has to weigh its every step. It knows any move that is considered soft on separatists will backfire. And from Gujarat to the next Lok Sabha polls is but a small step of two years.As the divide deepens, the Congress and the NC — being the two largest parties in the Assembly — are emerging as the key players in forming the next J-K government. Congress has already sent R.K. Dhawan and Ahmad Patel to help Legislature Party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad form the government.The party has reportedly roped in most Independents from Jammu region. Eight members of the newly formed Democratic People’s Forum (DPF), which includes two CPI(M) members, have agreed to support Congress. People’s Conference ‘‘proxy’’ Mohiuddin Sofi leads the forum.Its Legislature Party leader, CPI(M)’s M.Y. Tarigami, said: ‘‘We had a meeting with Congress leaders today. They gave us a letter, inviting us to support them.’’On a broad coalition, he said he has appealed to PDP leaders to reconsider their stand. ‘‘I had a meeting with some senior PDP leaders this evening. I appealed to them to let us throw our weight together.’’With 20 members, Congress can manage a simple majority of 44 only through defections. The anti-defection law makes it tough to wean away NC men. So the only way out is to split PDP.‘‘PDP is yet to be recognised by the Election Commission as a party. So if some of their members join Congress, it will not invite suspension through anti-defection measures,’’ a Congress leader said.The PDP leadership may say their flock is untouchable. But chinks have already started showing in its armour. Senior PDP leader Muzzafar Hussain Beigh stayed back in Delhi and missed out on the Legislature Party meeting. The Congress-PDP tug-of-war has encouraged a disheartened NC. It’s now wooing Independents to muster the magic number.
