Srinagar: The deadlock over formation of a new government in Jammu and Kashmir continues on Friday, as none of the three parties are willing to walk an extra mile to reach out to a formula.
BJP is in talks with both NC and PDP but the party wants to have its own Chief Minister in the state. Jitendra Singh,Minister of State in PMO, is said to be the front-runner for CM post.
PDP is willing to join hands with BJP but wants party chief Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as the next Chief Minister for full 6 years.
National Conference leadership is reportedly not averse to support BJP in government formation but its elected members are divided on the subject. A section of the NC MLAs are in favor of alliance with BJP while other lead by Badgam MLA Syed Ruhullah are totally against any tie-up with the saffron party.
According to reports, BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav has met PDP's Muzaffar Hussain Baig twice but both the leaders failed to reach out to a consensus. PDP is adamant on Sayeed being the CM of the new alliance for full 6 years term. The party also wants to ensure that their pre-poll promises including repeal of AFSPA is taken care of. BJP is not willing to concede either of the two demands.
PDP, on the other hand, has also started negotiations with the Congress. The party is said to be in touch with Sajjad Lone and other independent members as well. The party is also not ruling out an outside support from the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference.
Worried over dissidence in party over tie-up with BJP, the outgoing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already made it clear that his party is not holding any talks with BJP on government formation.
"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," Abdullah tweeted on Thursday night.
"I hope someone from the PDP/BJP/Cong steps up and form a government in J&K quickly. Denying stupid rumors is fast becoming a full time job," he said in another tweet.
Meanwhile, Congress has expressed doubt over PDP and BJP working together.
"The PDP and the BJP are like oil and water, no chemistry. I see no chance of them coming together. We haven't written a formal letter nor have they, but the leaderships know each other," senior Congress leader Salman Soz said.
BJP has 25 seats in the 87 member assembly while the National Conference has 15 seats. The People's Democratic Party (PDP) has emerged as the single largest party with 28 seats while Congress has just 12 seats. Seven seats are occupied by other parties and independents.
