J&K: BJP and PDP disagree over key issues, government formation stuck

Srinagar: The government formation in Jammu and Kashmir is facing some last minute hiccups after the Peoples Democratic Party demands partial revocation of Armed Forces' Special Powers' Act.

BJP and PDP were set to form the government in the leadership of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed after no party achieved majority in recently held assembly elections. Two key subjects of discussion between the parties were AFSPA and article 370 as both the parties have different set of approach regarding the controversial issues.

The AFSPA gives the army the authority to arrest anyone even without warrant. Both the parties have agreed in-principle on partial revocation of the act but the details are yet to be discussed. PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has assured his partymen and legislators that he would not enter into an alliance before all the issues on alliance agenda are accepted.

Article 370 that gives a special status to Kashmir under the constitution is also on the table of alliance talks. The article makes the consent of the state government necessary for laws except those related to defence or national security and the PDP has firmly opposed to any attempt to weaken it. On the other hand BJP has long been demanding to remove the special status given to the valley.

The negotiations are going on to find a mutually acceptable language on the issue. Senior leaders of both the parties have been engaged in formal dialogue to sort out the key issues. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti is also in Delhi.

The PDP and the BJP had been placed first and second in the assembly polls. PDP swept the seats of Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley and the BJP won almost all seats in the Hindu-majority Jammu. PDP has 28 MLAs and BJP has 25 MLAs in a 87 member legislative assembly.

The negotiations have been fast-tracked after the Delhi assembly elections concluded.