The 'suspense' is over in the stand-off between the PDP and the BJP in J&K. Almost three months after Mufti Sayeed's passing away and after demands for CBMs, timelines on the "Agenda of Alliance" and public reassurances from Prime Minister Modi – demands all unmet – the PDP has exchanged positions with the BJP. After starting off as the party seeking to pressure its partner in the "coalition of opposites" it has wound up falling in line. Whatever the reason for the eleven weeks of acute uncertainty, it cannot be interpreted as a victory. Not a good start for Mehbooba Mufti.