BJP's Nirmal Singh sworn in deputy CM of Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu, March 1: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nirmal Singh was on Sunday sworn in as the deputy chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP's national president Amit Shah and senior leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi attended the swearing in ceremony of the PDP-BJP coalition government in the state.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) mouthpiece 'Organiser' on Saturday said this is a "historic opportunity" that will help the state join the national mainstream, but admitted that running the government would be a tightrope walk.

"Though running this government will be a tightrope walk, especially for the PDP, if interests of the people of J&K are kept in mind, this will be a historic opportunity.

"The most important outcome of this reconciliation between BJP and PDP is that the state of Jammu-Kashmir is joining the national mainstream," said an editorial in the RSS mouthpiece.

The 'Organiser' said keeping away from pressures of separatist tendencies, focusing completely on development and providing transparency in governance will be key in this regard.

"They are also hoping that this alliance further strains the relationship between Jammu and Kashmir on communal lines. Considering the stated positions of both BJP and PDP on crucial issues may be the reason behind that. If we analyse this political development carefully, it is a historic moment for the state and India," it said.

IANS