Decks cleared for govt formation in J&K; PDP, BJP meet Governor

Jammu: Peoples Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti today met with Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N.Vohra along with BJP leader Nirmal Singh to stake claim to form the new government in Jammu and Kashmir.

Government formation in the state has been stuck in limbo following the death of former CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in January this year.

Ties between both sides, who had been jointly running the government, suffered a jolt following the demise of Mehbooba’s father Sayeed. Hectic parleys have followed since then to get on with the government in the state.

The thaw between both sides now paves way for Mehbooba to be the country’s first Muslim woman chief minister. BJP leader Nirmal Singh will be the deputy CM in the new government.

PDP leader Mehbooba thanked the BJP leadership for their unconditional support and hoped that the alliance would take the state to new heights. “I am very satisfied with the assurances that we received from the Prime Minister,” she said after meeting the Governor.

Read Also: PDP-BJP to meet Governor NN Vohra today,stake claim in J&K govt formation

“We are thankful to the BJP for their unconditional support in formation of Government in J&K,” she added.

During the meeting, BJP leader Nirmal Singh submitted a letter citing the party’s support to the PDP for government formation in the state. "We have handed Governor the letter citing a decision by the party legislators to support the PDP," he told reporters after the meeting.  

"We are sticking to the agenda of alliance and are committed to it. We will stick to it," he added.

When asked on the future course of action, Singh said, "We (BJP-PDP) will sit together and discuss the logistics and the future course of action."

There have been differences over the distribution of portfolios in the new dispensation. When quizzed whether all differences between the two sides had been sorted out, he said, "We shall sit together and discuss all details.”

However, there is no clarity on the date of government formation as discussions between the two sides over details are still on.

The PDP has 27 MLAs (it had 28 before the death of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed) in the 87-member legislative assembly. An independent MLA from the Ladakh region also supports the PDP.

BJP has 25 MLAs and is supported by two MLAs of Peoples Conference headed by Sajad Lone and one independent candidate.

The state was placed under governor's rule on January 8, a day after the then chief minister, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed passed away in New Delhi.

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