PDP-BJP to rule J&K with Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as CM?

Srinagar/Jammu: The PDP and BJP are close to an agreement
to govern Jammu and Kashmir in coalition with PDP leader
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as chief minister, PDP sources said
Sunday.

The deadlock over government formation in the state may end soon, with both PDP and BJP insiders saying the two parties were close to
striking an agreement.

A PDP source told IANS that the two parties were close to
giving the country's only Muslim-majority state a government
after assembly elections produced a hung 87-member house.
Former chief minister Sayeed would be the chief minister of
the coalition government, according to the party source.

"Yes, the two parties are close to reaching a final
understanding," the source told IANS
"As per the terms of the arrangement that are in the final
stage, Mufti sahib would be the chief minister. The state
would have a BJP deputy chief minister with six PDP and
eight BJP ministers," the source added.

"The arrangement would be for the six-year period which is
the tenure of the state assembly."

A Bharatiya Janata Party insider told IANS that his party was
determined to be a part of the next government in the state
but did not authenticate what the PDP sources said.

"We are sure no ruling alliance can be formed in Jammu and
Kashmir without our direct participation," the BJP source said.
Details of discussions between PDP and BJP were not
available but PDP leaders have said that they would not
compromise on some issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
The PDP is clear that article 370 of the constitution, which
gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir, cannot be
revoked. The BJP has traditionally been opposed to this
article.

The PDP also wants the Armed Forces Special Powers Act,
which gives sweeping powers to security forces, to go - and
the multi-regional, multi-ethnic, multi-religious identity of the
state to be protected.

While the PDP won all but two of its 28 seats in the assembly
from the Muslim-dominated Kashmir Valley, all the 25 seats of
the BJP were bagged in the Hindu-majority Jammu region.
Any government will need the support of at least 44 legislators
in the 87-seat assembly.

BJP leaders say Hindus and Jammu region have been
discriminated against in the state.

PDP spokesman Naeem Akhtar said his party was trying to
strike the best deal for all the three regions of the state: the
Kashmir Valley, the Jammu region and the mainly Buddhist
Ladakh.

"As the single largest party we respect the support offered to
us by other parties," Akhtar said while commenting on the
offers from the National Conference and the Congress.

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, a former chief minister,
had hinted at a grand alliance among the PDP, the Congress
and the National Conference.

Congress sources here said party president Sonia Gandhi had
spoken to PDP leader Sayeed.

The National Conference and Congress have 15 and 12 seats
respectively.

Governor NN Vohra has sent separate letters to both the PDP
and the BJP inviting them to discuss government formation.
The term of the outgoing assembly ends Jan 16.

IANS