J-K: Confident about continuation of alliance with PDP, says BJP

BJP is ‘confident’ and ‘hopeful’ of the continuation of the alliance with PDP in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Deputy J&K chief minister Nirmal Singh held a closed-door meeting with the top leadership of the BJP on Saturday to discuss the developing situation amid political speculations fuelled by the scheduled visit of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. However, the party is ‘confident’ and ‘hopeful’ of the continuation of the alliance.

Sources said though the BJP was confident of the continuation of the alliance, there was some apprehension.

According to sources, the meeting was attended by BJP state president Satpal Sharma, party general secretary Ashok Kaul and former state president Jugal Kishore Sharma.

“The BJP leaders discussed the emerging political situation. They deliberated on the stand of the party on governance and also on how to carry forward the agenda of alliance. They will wait till Sunday, when the mourning period of former CM Mufti Sayeed ends, to take a decision,” said the sources. A meeting of BJP legislators is also scheduled for Sunday evening.

Sources said though the BJP was confident of the continuation of the alliance, there was some apprehension after BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav met PDP president Mehbooba Mufti privately on Friday.

“Ram Madhav told BJP legislators that the stalemate continues and any development may take place after Sunday. He also asked us to leave for Jammu,” said a BJP minister, adding the word ‘stalemate’ had raised apprehensions.