Not ruling out continuation of negotiations to work out a coalition Government in Jammu & Kashmir, the BJP on Friday said it was an “evolving situation” in the State and that the party is in talks with both PDP and NC as it would like to form the Government there.
The party said Governor’s rule in J&K was imposed owing to constitutional limitation of time and reluctance of caretaker Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to continue as such, the party said, while noting that governance cannot close down owing to such a scenario. Union Minister and senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said here that “it is an evolving situation” in J&K and he cannot make any off-the-cuff remark in that regard. The BJP wants a stable Government in J&K and discussions are underway for that, he indicated.
As to the imposition of Governor’s rule, Prasad said, “There is a constitutional limitation of time (January 19 in this case) and the reluctance of Abdullah to continue as caretaker Chief Minister. “These are logistical issues which have to be taken into account because, pending the evolution of a stable Government ... You cannot completely close down governance.”
Sources in the BJP were were of view that dialogue with the PDP was continuing and a reconciliation may reach if “they walk two steps and we do one and a half” to meet each other. Article 370 that accords special status to J&K and Armed forces (Special powers) Act are two contentious issues which separate BJP and the PDP. Sources indicated that an alternative to give powers to armed forces were to be put in place if a re-thinking was to be done on AFSPA.
Speaking in Hyderabad Friday BJP president Amit Shah said, “Our talks are going on with the two parties (NC; PDP) in Kashmir. We will let you know once there is any development. We are trying to form a BJP Government in the State.” BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, meanwhile, said that the mandate that the parties have got in J&K is such that no one can form a Government as of now. According to sources, process of Government formation may fructify after Delhi elections with parties able to iron out their mutual differences in about a month’s time.