AAP minister writes to Amit Shah, questions BJP-PDP alliance in Jammu and Kashmir

Delhi Tourism Minister and AAP leader Kapil Mishra on Friday taunted BJP asking whether it would form government with PDP in Jammu and Kashmir if its president Mehbooba Mufti did not raise 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' slogan.

Aam Aadmi Party downplayed Mishra's comments, saying it was his "personal opinion" even though it asked BJP to "clear its stand" on the issue.

In an open letter to BJP president Amit Shah, the AAP leader posed four queries attacking the BJP-PDP coalition whose "cost" will have to be "borne" by the country in the near future, he said.

"Does Mehbooa Mufti believe in Bharat Mata ki Jai? If not, will the BJP form government with her? Will she raise slogans saying Afzal Guru was a terrorist? If not, then what is the compulsion for you (BJP) to form a govt with her?" Mishra asked in his letter.

When contacted, AAP spokesperson Deepak Bajpai said Mishra has written the letter purely in "personal capacity" and that it should be confused with the party's stand.

However, Bajpai said, "AAP would like BJP to clear its stand, otherwise it reflects their doublespeak." Mishra also criticised the upcoming visit of the Pakistani Joint Investigation Team to India to carry out a probe into the Pathankot terror attack.

BJP legislature party in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday decided to form government in coalition with PDP and extended support to PDP's chief ministerial candidate Mehbooba. The meeting came a day after PDP elected Mehbooba as its legislature party leader and the party candidate for the chief minister's post.