BJP bargains hard in Jammu and Kashmir government formation

As Mehbooba Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party and Omar Abdullah’s National Conference both eager to be part with BJP to form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir, the confident BJP has bargain hard in playing the pivotal role to decide whom they will hold hand.

“Whoever forms the government, the BJP must have a crucial role. Earlier, the veto power was in the hands of the Congress and now it’s in the hands of the BJP,” Arun Jaitley told reporters yesterday.

“Our votes is higher than those who have contested all the seats. Our strike rate is high. We have the highest popular vote. We have an overwhelming mandate in the Jammu region while the Valley has been divided between PDP (25 seats), National Conference (15) and Independents (5),” he said.

Although Omar Abdullah denied rumours of meeting with BJP leadership, the news are coming that top NC leaders are negotiating with BJP top brass.

Photo: PTI

Omar posted on Twitter: “So many stories doing the rounds about a BJP-NC deal. Let me say this as strongly as possible – There is no deal nor any discussion going on.”

BJP leader rejected the reports that Omar Abdullah had met BJP president Amit Shah in the capital.

“News about BJP leaders meeting NC leadership in Delhi baseless,” Ram Madhav tweeted.

Meanwhile, PDP, had started initial talk with BJP to check the possibility to form the government.

The reports also suggest Ram Madhav had a meeting with People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone and veteran PDP leader MP Muzzafar Hussain Baig in Kashmir and they discussed on possible government formation.

PDP spokesman Samir Koul confirmed that the talk between the two parties are on.

“Talks are going on with BJP over government-formation in the state but we are still at infancy stage. It will take some time before we can make any announcements,” Koul said.

Meanwhile, desperate Congress reached out to PDP and announced ‘unconditional support’.

Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad Wednesday said, “We have offered our support to PDP so that the new government could be formed in the state,” however, “there has been no response from the PDP so far.”

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