Deadlock on AFSPA, Article 370 over: Deal finally sealed between BJP, PDP over J&K govt formation

New Delhi, Feb 24: The political stalemate over government formation in Jammu and Kashmir is over now as the BJP and PDP sealed a deal on on the same on Tuesday.

PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti met BJP president Amit Shah on after which the two addressed the media and formally announced an alliance between the two parties.

As per a TOI report, "addressing reporters Amit Shah said, "In a few days, Jammu and Kashmir will get a PDP-BJP alliance government".

"The deadlock that existed on some issues, has been broken. After several rounds of discussion a common minimum programme has been arrived at," he was further quoted as saying.

There has been a "significant" and "decisive" headway in the talks between BJP and PDP for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said today.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament House, Singh, however, refused to share the details of the talks. "There is a significant headway, a decisive headway in the parleys between the two parties. In course of time, all these details will be shared with you," he said.

Peoples Democratic Party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed will be sworn in as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir March 1, a top source said on Tuesday.

"Yes, decks have been cleared for Mufti Sahib to be sworn in as the chief minister of the state on March 1," a source said.

A meeting between PDP chief Mufti Mohhamad Sayeed and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to take place on Wednesday.

BJP and PDP grappled over a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir amidst the RSS raising questions over Article 370 that grants special status for the state causing unease in the Kashmir-based party.

The BJP had earlier said efforts are on to secure a comprehensive CMP as far as possible but refused to give a time-frame for formation of a new government even as differences between PDP and it over the controversial issues of Article 370 and AFSPA persisted.

PDP and BJP, which emerged as the two largest parties in J-K Assembly polls, have been in touch for forming a coalition government in the state.

The PDP is the largest party in the 87-member J-K Assembly with 28 MLAs while BJP has 25 legislators.

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.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)