Jammu: The coalition partners in Jammu and Kashmir are locked in a tussle over the self-rule and demilitarisation proposals mooted by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraff. Not a day passes without the Congress and the People Democratic Party reiterating their divergent stands.

The People's Democratic Party, which till some time ago headed the coalition, has come out openly in favour of the proposals. Deputy Chief Minister and PDP leaderMuzaffar Hussain Baig, who reportedly differed with the party, has come out with a signed, full-page advertisement in local dailies supporting the self-rule proposal.

In the Congress, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has for the first time criticised the Pakistan President's proposal of demilitarisation, according to which the Army should be withdrawn from three towns "on the Indian side" of J&K.

"The proposal does not make sense to me." For, there was no Army in the three towns. There was either the Central Reserve Police Force or the State police, who were carrying out anti-terrorist operations, he said.

State enjoying self-rule

As for self-rule, Mr. Azad said the State was already enjoying it. It was the people of the State who elected their representatives to the Assembly.

For all their differences, the two parties seem to have agreed to disagree, political analysts believe.

The NC factor

The PDP knows full well that there is no way it can break its ties with the Congress if wants to be in the power game.

For, the opposition National Conference has often indicated it will support the Congress if a need arises.

It has already shown a soft corner for Mr. Azad. The friendship between him and the Abdullah family is an open secret. National Conference president Omar Abdullah has also indirectly rejected the self-rule proposal, saying some groups have been suggesting division of the State in the name of solving the Kashmir problem.

"We must frustrate the evil designs of these divisive forces."

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