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PDP-BJP alliance on track, J&K may get govt before budget session
Jammu and Kashmir may get a PDP-BJP alliance government before the budget session beginning February 23.
Jammu and Kashmir may get a PDP-BJP alliance government before the budget session beginning February 23.
The two parties are learnt to have almost finalised the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) to run the government and a meeting between PM Narendra Modi and PDP chief Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is expected soon to seal it.
“We have done 98% work on the CMP. The languages of certain ideological issues need to be discussed,” a BJP leader said in Delhi. He hinted that differences on issues like revocation of AFSPA and abrogation of Article 370 – both crucial to BJP – were in the process of being negotiated. The BJP is likely to get the deputy CM’s post.
The December election in J&K had thrown up a hung verdict with PDP getting 28 seats followed by BJP’s 25.
A section in PDP had wanted its leadership to take a leaf out of the AAP’s book and go back to people for full mandate. While many feared that outcome of the Delhi election may impact the prospect of an alliance between the two, both the sides were quick to dispel it.
PDP spokesman Nayeem Aktar said Delhi results would have no direct bearing on J&K. “Delhi poll outcome will not change the verdict in the Valley. We are here for five years and so are the 25 MLAs of BJP who represent a particular community and region,” said Akhtar.
There, however, is a group of people within PDP which fears the BJP may harden its stand post the Delhi verdict.
“When one is doing well, you can be flexible but when you have done badly you wouldn’t want people to think that you have compromised on core issues,’’ said a PDP leader.
Accusing the two parties of “plunging J&K into political uncertainty,” NC has been insisting on an early decision.
