PM, Mufti stress importance of coalition in JK

New Delhi, Mar 24: The present political crisis in Jammu and Kashmir seems to have temporarily blown over with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mufti Mohammed Sayeed stressing the importance of a coalition government in the state and the need to maintain peace.

The Prime Minister and Mr Sayeed in an one-on-one at the Prime Minister's 7-Race Course Road residence here this evening also agreed on the vital need to implement the shared vision of peace and tranquillity in the state, which is emphasised in the National Common Minimum Programme (CMP).

Reading out a prepared statement after the 45-minute meeting, the Prime Minister's media advisor Dr Sanjaya Baru said the talks were held in a warm and cordial atmosphere and covered all aspects of the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

''There was near unanimity of what needed to be done'' (for maintaining peace in the state), Dr Baru said.

UNI