PDP says talking to BJP, lists conditions for govt-formation

By PTI

Updated: Sunday, February 1, 2015, 8:02 [IST]

Jammu, Jan 24: The People's Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday confirmed that it is holding "track-II" dialogue with BJP for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir as it listed out a number of conditions with an assertion that there will be no "sell out" on "core" issues like time-bound revocation of AFSPA.

PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said if the 'track-II' talks take some direction, the two parties will firm up a Common

Minimum Programme and then hold a structured dialogue. Insisting that he was not "power hungry", the former Chief Minister said he wants to bring the state out of a "quagmire" that it is in.

His statement came against the backdrop of a meeting his close aide and MLA Haseeb Drabu had with Governor N N Vohra last evening to inform him about progress in the government formation efforts.

"Track-II dialogue with BJP over the formation of government in Jammu and Kashmir is in progress," Sayeed said while addressing party leaders here. "Once the track two dialogue gets some direction, a structured dialogue or the 'track-I' dialogue on the formation of a Common Minimum Programme will be initiated," he said.

The PDP emerged as the single largest party in last month's Assembly elections by bagging 28 seats in the 87-member House while BJP stood second with 25 seats.

There has been speculation that the two parties have been holding back-channel talks on government formation in the state which is now under Governor's Rule by trying to resolve issues that stand in the way.

At the same time, Sayeed listed out his conditions and demands which he wants to be taken care of by BJP. "PDP has its conditions and there will be no sell-out on our core ideology including the time-bound revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and initiation of dialogue with Pakistan," he said.

AFSPA is said to be one of the main obstacles in the success of the talks as BJP's position on it is exactly opposite to that of PDP. He also made it clear that his party wants the Chief Minister to be a Muslim as the state is Muslim-majority which must be respected by BJP.

PTI