J&K guv invites PDP, BJP for talks

As uncertainty over government formation continues in Jammu and Kashmir in the backdrop of a fractured mandate and hung Assembly, Governor N N Vohra on Friday invited the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for holding deliberations over the issue of government formation.

Sources told Deccan Herald that the governor sent letters to PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and state BJP chief Jugal Kishore inviting them for deliberations.

“Both the leaders have been given the deadline of January 1,” they added.

PDP chief spokesman Nayeem Akhtar confirmed that the party had received a letter from the governor.
Kishore also confirmed the invitation saying he has been given time till January 1.

While the PDP emerged as single largest party with 28 members in the 87-strong Assembly, the BJP closely follows with 25 seats.

The National Conference (NC) which got 15 seats and the Congress with 12 members finished third and fourth respectively.

Over the last three days, all the four parties are holding deliberations to outwit each other.

While the Congress has offered unconditional support to the PDP to keep the BJP away from the power, the NC is weighing its options to take maximum benefit out of the fluid political situation.

Both the PDP and the NC have dismissed reports that they were holding deliberations with the BJP to form the new government.

Nayeem Akhtar said they have not received any formal offer from the BJP and if there will be one they will deliberate over it.

 He also dismissed reports that Mufti Sayeed was going to Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders for talks over government formation.
Similarly, senior NC leader Ali Mohamamd Sagar while rejecting any possibility of alliance with the BJP for the government formation in the state accused that the PDP was cozying up for an alliance with the Saffron party.