BJP, PDP move closer to J&K govt formation

BJP pointsman Ram Madhav’s meeting with PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti in Srinagar on Wednesday resulted in a “positive approach” towards government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, whose Assembly is in suspended animation for more than 40 days ago after former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s sudden death.

Ram Madhav told reporters that “both sides are positive” about “continuing with the arrangement” arrived at by Sayeed and Prime Minister Narendra Modi last March. But the BJP wants the PDP to draw a timeline of action leading to revival of the coalition government in the bordering state of Pakistan.Though Mehbooba has sought a meeting with Modi or BJP chief Amit Shah to secure the agenda for alliance, the BJP is insisting on a programme of action before it allows PDP leaders to travel to Delhi for engaging its top leadership and individual Union ministers for pushing development and others schemes.

“Talks were positive. I hope there will be continuation of previous arrangement,” Madhav told reporters on a query whether it can be deduced that the PDP-BJP will form the government. Clarifying that the reports on armed forces special powers act (AFSPA) being a hurdle for coalition coming back to power were incorrect, the BJP general secretary said the government will work on the basis of “Agenda of Alliance” listed in the common minimum programme, which was firmed up between the two parties last year.