Ram Madhav meets Mufti, bats for 'better coordination'

Jammu, March 12: In the backdrop of the release of separatist leader Masarat Alam, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and called for a better coordination between the alliance partners.

Madhav, who was the party's key negotiator for forging alliance with PDP, met Mufti last night at his residence here and batted strongly for better coordination between BJP and PDP, BJP chief spokesman Sunil Sethi told PTI.

"Madhav met the Chief Minister late last night and discussed various issues," he said, adding that the meeting lasted over one hour till late last night. The meeting took place after yesterday's cabinet meet of the PDP-BJP coalition government, in which the release of the separatist leader did not came up for discussion.

Madhav's meeting with Mufti assumes significance in view of the differences created between BJP and PDP over Masarat's unilateral release and open displeasure expressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

According to sources, Madhav was sent as an emissary by BJP president Amit Shah to Mufti to ensure that BJP is taken on-board before the state government takes any decision on contiguous issues and those relating to national security and also the government should work as per the Common Minimum Programme.

Madhav is also reported to have expressed displeasure with Mufti over Masarat's release, they said. The Jammu and Kashmir government yesterday sent a detailed report to the Centre on the release of Masarat Alam.

"Yes, we have sent a detailed report to MHA (with clarification)," a senior officer of state home department told PTI here.

This comes after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who had asserted that the NDA government's top priority was national security and not continuance of the state government, had sought a proper clarification from J&K dispensation saying he was not satisfied with the report of the state home department on Alam's release.

"The home ministry has sought additional information (about the release of Masarat Alam). The situation is unclear, because, we have not received any further additional information," Union Minister of State for Home Kiran Rijiju said in Delhi.

Sayeed, who is in the eye of a storm over the issue, had directed both the state home department and the police chief to ensure that a comprehensive report is sent to the Union Home ministry.

Under attack, the state government on Tuesday announced that there would be no further release of militants or political prisoners.

PTI