PDP, BJP to form govt in J&K with Mehbooba as CM

Earlier, the leaders of the two parties were scheduled to meet the Governor separately on Thursday; however, the last minutes creases in the possible alliance remained to be ironed out.

According to agency reports, a spokesperson of Raj Bhawan in Jammu told the media that PDP and BJP were engaged in talks and both the parties have requested the Governor to grant them some more time. Earlier in the day, the state BJP elected Dr Nirmal Singh as the Legislative Party leader in a meeting of BJP legislators held at Jammu.

Dr Singh was also nominated candidate for the post of Deputy Chief Minister. He had served in the same capacity in previous PDP-BJP coalition government. BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav and BJP MP and Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh also attended the meeting.

BJP’s meeting followed the PDP’s Legislative Party meeting on Thursday at Srinagar in which Mehbooba Mufti was elected Legislative Party leader and nominated candidate for Chief Minister’s position in the new government.

Sources said during Friday’s meeting, central BJP leadership communicated to the state BJP leaders that no fresh conditions by the PDP had been accepted and the alliance will continue on the basis of the agenda of alliance agreed upon earlier by the two parties.

The formal date for swearing in of the new government in Jammu & Kashmir was, however, yet to be finalised. Both the parties are required to present letter of support in favour of the PDP chief as next Chief Minister before the date for the swearing in ceremony is finalised by the Governor.