BJP, PDP stuck on contentious issues

After kick-starting their dialogue on government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP and PDP on Monday did not make much headway as both the parties were unwilling to compromise on contentious issues like Article 370 and Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

BJP sources said the party has handed over a draft to the PDP negotiators to go through before inking an agreement which would be the common minimum programme. The duo are targeting an announcement on government formation before January 23, when the budget session of Parliament begins. A six-member PDP delegation is holding talks with the BJP group headed by general secretary Ram Madhav. Status quo continues, said party sources. “There are certainly some issues but they will get sorted out as the parties get into a structured dialogue,” PDP spokesperson Naeem Akhtar said.

BJP sources said the party has offered a nuanced position on Article 370 that offers special status to the state but the PDP wants no alteration in the existing mechanism. The PDP is pushing for withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act since militancy has reduced. It suggested reintroducing the legislation if the situation deteriorated. The  party wanted the power to decide on withdrawing forces to lie with the state and not the Army. But the BJP cited the cross-border infiltration from Pakistan and insisted that the Army take a call on troops withdrawal.

The BJP also wanted west Pakistan refugees, who have voted for the party in the parliamentary elections, to be given equal rights but the PDP opposed it stating that they were not permanent residents.  The BJP, however, agreed to PDP chief Mufti Mohammad Sayeed becoming the chief minister of the coalition government for the full five-year term.