J&K govt formation: PDP, BJP to reach consensus today; Mufti Mohd to be sworn in as CM on March 1

New Delhi, Feb 24: In Jammu and Kashmir, a PDP-BJP coalition government headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is likely to be sworn-in on March 1.

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 here 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.

If reports are to be believed then the two parties sorting out all issues, including differences over AFSPA and Article 370 and to give final touches the same, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti might meet BJP President Amit Shah.

This meeting is expected to be followed by a meet between PDP chief Mufti Mohhamad Sayeed with Prime Minister Minister Narendra Modi to make a final annoucement on the government formation.

Swearing-in ceremony is likely to take place on March 1, sources privy to the talks said on Monday.

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.

Last week, it was being speculated that a PDP-BJP government would be in place before the start of the Budget Session of Parliament starting February 23.

While both parties maintained that "talks are on" for "securing a comprehensive Common Minimum Programme (CMP)" for an alliance government in J&K, RSS' National Executive Member Indaresh's comments prompted the PDP camp to reiterate that they will not budge an inch on its position on issues like Article 370 and AFSPA.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)