Talks on with Kashmiri parties for BJP govt: Amit Shah

Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah on Friday said that the party is in talks with both the Peoples Democratic Party and National Conference and would like to form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Our talks are going on with the two parties in Kashmir. We will let you know once there is a development. We are trying to form a BJP government in the state," Shah, who was in Vijayawada to take stock of the party's membership drive and its growth, told reporters.

The recent legislative assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir threw up a hung verdict in the state with the PDP emerging as the largest party, followed by the BJP.

Shah who has been focused on expanding the party in south and eastern states of the country, set a target of enrolling 45 lakh members in Andhra Pradesh.

The ruling Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh is a constituent of the National Democratic Alliance and Shah said that the BJP would like to work for its expansion in the state in a positive sense.

"I have the right to make my party grow. It does not mean that we will work against Telugu Desam. We want to expand the BJP with a positive outlook," he said.

The BJP and TDP are working together for development of Andhra Pradesh and the country and there are no differences between the two parties, the leader said.

Amid reports that several senior leaders from the Congress in Andhra Pradesh are likely to join the BJP, Shah said that his party welcomes all those who subscribe to the party's ideology.

"In the system of multi-party democracy, the BJP moves forward on the basis of its ideology. We will go to people of Andhra and tell them about our ideology and leadership. Whoever wants to join the BJP is welcome," he said.

The leader also assured the support of the central government to Andhra Pradesh as per the federal structure. "We definitely wish that Andhra Pradesh develop. In the federal structure, without showing favoritism, the Government of India would give priority to Andhra Pradesh and give all kind of support," he said.

Image: BJP chief Amit Shah