PDP-BJP Govt Formation Talks in Final Stage

NEW DELHI: The stalemate over government formation in Jammu and Kashmir is likely to end as the BJP has rushed its top leadership to Jammu in order to hold final talks with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to sources, after hectic deliberations on the Common Minimum programme between the two parties, the talks are moving in a positive direction with both the parties set to announce the alliance anytime soon.

BJP leaders Ram Madhav and Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh rushed to Jammu to hold the final discussion with PDP. The two parties have sorted out the conflicting issues paving way for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Citizen learnt that BJP’s National General Secretary Ram Madhav held a closed-door meeting with the party legislators in Jammu on Wednesday, informing them about the party decision for forming the long-pending alliance with PDP.

He also confirmed BJP's official support to the PDP candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections and asked the legislators to vote according to the party decision.

Meanwhile, both PDP and BJP delegations met the state Governor N.N Vohra separately and apprised him about the possible alliance between the two parties.

While the newly elected member Dr Haseeb Drabu from the PDP met the Governor, from the BJP’s side, Ram Madhav led the three member delegation that included State President Jugal Kishore and senior leader Nirmal Singh.

“We informed the Governor that discussion with PDP is going in full momentum and in a very positive direction and anytime soon we are going to announce the alliance " Jugal Kishore told the reporters after his meeting with the Governor.

Sources told The Citizen that both the parties have reached an agreement that clearly mentions that none of them will raise a conflicting issue during the six years of government.

"While BJP has decided not to talk of abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu & Kashmir, on its part, the PDP has conceded demand of BJP that it will not talk about Self-Rule during the tenure of the new government" the source said.

He added that PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed will lead the coalition Government as the Chief minister for full six years.

In the Assembly election results last month, the PDP emerged as the single largest party bagging 28 seats in the 87-member House, followed by BJP with 25 seats. However National Conference and congress just managed to win 15 and 12 seats respectively.