Holding consultation with all stakeholders in J&K, says BJP

Bharatiya Janata Party General Secretary Ram Madhav on Friday said his party was holding consultations with all important stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir for providing a stable government.

The BJP leader, who has held a series of meetings with leaders of Valley-based political parties including Peoples Democratic Party's Muzaffar Hussain Baig, said the prime minister had a grand vision for development of the state.

"To realise this dream, we have to provide a government that will put the state on the development track," he said. "We are meeting with all important stakeholders and our aim is to provide a stable and credible government," he told reporters in Srinagar.

While the PDP has secured 28 seats, the BJP bagged 25 in the elections to the 87-member state assembly.

On his talks with the PDP since his arrival in Srinagar, Madhav said the talks were still at initial stages. "The PDP is an important stakeholder and has got a major mandate. Mufti (Mohammad Sayeed) has a five-decade long political career and is respected not only in the state but across the country.”

"The National Conference also has got substantial number of seats. It was part of the National Democratic Alliance during (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee's tenure (as the prime minister)," he noted.

Asked which of the two parties would the BJP prefer to ally with, Madhav said it was not about the party but a choice of providing a stable and credible government.

As the Jammu unit of the BJP is insisting on getting a shot at chief ministership, Madhav said the issue was not discussed with either the PDP or any other stakeholder. "Talks have not reached that stage yet. We are still at the initial stages," he insisted.

In response to a question, Madhav said a meeting between the prime minister and PDP patron Sayeed was not on the cards yet. "No such this is on the cards right now," he said.

Asked how long the government formation is going to take, Madhav said no timeline can be set.

• 'We have become a very powerful force in Jammu and Kashmir'