PDP, BJP to meet J&K governor over government formation

Jammu, Feb 2: The PDP and the BJP witnessed hectic political activity here on Tuesday ahead of their presidents meeting with Governor N.N. Vohra later in the day over government formation in Jammu and Kashmir.

In two separate letters, Vohra asked Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti and Satpal Sharma, the president of the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party, to clearly state their stands on government formation.

Mehbooba is scheduled to meet the governor at 4.30 p.m., while BJP leaders will call on him at 6.30 p.m. at the Raj Bhawan here.

Before meeting the governor, Mehbooba Mufti is likely to meet BJP leader and former state deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh.

Sources in the PDP told IANS that Mehbooba Mufti is expected to convey to the BJP leader her strong reservations about heading the PDP-BJP alliance government in the state.

State BJP leaders called on national general secretary of the party, Ram Madhav in New Delhi on Monday to discuss the party calibration in light of PDP seeking fresh assurances.

Top BJP sources said the party high command would not respond to PDP demands as the party stands committed to already agreed terms of alliance between the two parties.

"They have not even elected a leader of their legislature party so far. Let them spell out their views. We are not the ones to ditch alliances," said a BJP leader here.

IANS