J&K government formation: Talks in decisive phase; BJP, PDP may form coalition soon

Srinagar, Feb 16: The political stalemate in Jammu and Kashmir may end soon. Reportedly, People's Democratic Party Chief Mufti Mohammed Sayeed is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon and it is also being believed that both BJP and PDP have reached to consensus on a number of issues, paving a path to give a stable Government in the J&K.

The final call over the same will be taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

As per reports, the BJP will have the deputy chief minister and a major share in portfolios to ensure equitable development of all the three regions of the state.

"We feel to forge a development-oriented ruling alliance with the PDP in the country`s only Muslim majority state would do good to the image of the BJP nationally and internationally," a senior BJP leader said in Jammu.

The leader, requesting anonymity, said at the same time the party would not make any compromises on its "basic principles".

The BJP`s stand on contentious issues like Article 370, Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and the settlement of west Pakistan refugees in Jammu and Kashmir has been diagonally opposed to that of the PDP.

The PDP seeks firm assurances on protection of Article 370, the BJP stands for a national debate on whether this temporary provision of the Indian constitution, granting special status to J&K, should stay or go.

The results of the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir on December 23 threw up a hung assembly with PDP emerging as the single largest party bagging 28 seats in the 87-member house. BJP came close second with 25 seats while National Conference bagged 15 seats followed by Congress with 12 seats and others winning seven seats.

Governor's rule was imposed in the state on January 8, a day after former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah asked Vohra to relieve him of the caretaker responsibilities with immediate effect. No party or combination of parties has staked claim for government formation in the state so far.

Amid reports of BJP inching closer towards sealing an alliance with the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to form a government in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the saffron party's parental organisation RSS is reportedly unhappy with the Common Minimum Programme between the two parties.

As per a report published in India Today, the BJP's ideological mentor has slammed the saffron party for its "compromise" on the Uniform Civil Code, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which provides special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

The BJP and PDP reportedly arrived at a common minimum programme, last week, to put an end to the political deadlock in the valley state. The BJP and PDP are in talks to reach at a consensus over forming government by Feb 23.

While the PDP and BJP`s `informal negotiations` for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir are progressing smoothly, the two sides are still dragging their feet on contentious issues like Article 370 and the AFSPA.

Insiders in both parties -- the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) -- in Jammu and Srinagar told IANS that the two sides have agreed on a full six-year term as chief minister for PDP patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed.

Earlier on Sunday, reports of PDP, the single largest party in the J&K assembly, putting up a fresh 11-point proposal in front of the BJP came to fore. Following this, it is being said that the PDP will soon form an alliance with the BJP in the state.

OneIndia News

(With input from agencies)