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BJP, PDP close to forming government in Jammu and Kashmir

Ideologically poles apart, the two parties are struggling to find common ground on AFSPA and Article 370

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Jammu and Kashmir was placed under governor’s rule on January 8 following the stepping down of National Conference’s Omar Abdullah as caretaker chief minister
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Decks have been cleared for the first ever coalition government of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) in the strife-torn Jammu and Kashmir.

After initial hiccups, People's Democratic Party (PDP) and BJP narrowed down their differences and arrived at consensus on key issues that will form the basis of their governance for six years in the Jammu and Kashmir.

"Talks are on. They have entered the next stage and most of the areas are covered as consensus has been arrived. There are certain areas which remain incomplete. Both sides are working on it", Naeem Akthar, chief spokesman of PDP, told dna.

The two parties, ideologically poles apart, are debating on finding common ground on contentious issues like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Article 370 and PDP's insistence on talks with Pakistan and a separatist leadership.

Sources close to both parties confirmed to dna that the two parties had moved closer to an agreement on contentious issues. The Common Minimum Programme (CMP) is likely to say that the present constitutional status of the state be upheld without mentioning Article 370. On AFSPA, a review committee may assure setting up a joint committee of the Centre and state immediately after government formation, to assess the ground situation and prepare a timeline for its revocation, sources said.

On talks with Pakistan, PDP was told that there were already signs of a thaw in relations with foreign secretary S Jaishankar going on an exploratory mission to the neighbouring country next month.

"We are working hard to complete the CMP," BJP general secretary Ram Madhav said.

The deal is likey to be sealed at a meeting between prime minister Narendra Modi and PDP's Mufti Mohammad Sayeed either on February 23 or 24, sources said. If all goes well, the oath-taking ceremony could be held the following weekend in Jammu.

BJP sources said there were no big hurdles in the way and once the two sides have agreed to work together, it would not take much time. Asked if the announcement could be made in the next day or two, they said it cannot be ruled out.

However, party sources also said that with the two parties are nearing an understanding, and formal talks between the two sides would now begin.

While Mufti Mohammad Sayeed would be the chief minister, BJP's Nirmal Singh is likely to be deputy chief minister in the PDP-BJP alliance. Singh, along with other party leaders from the state, had talks with the party leadership on Friday.

The PDP has 28 MLAs and the BJP 25 in the 87-member assembly.

PDP emerged as the single largest party winning 28 seats in the recently concluded polls. BJP came second winning 25 seats, all of them from Jammu division. A formation needs 44 members in the 87 member House to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir was placed under the governor's rule on January 8 following Omar Abdullah's decision to step down as the caretaker chief minister.

Two Pak militants killed
Srinagar: Security forces have foiled "devilish designs" of the Pakistani militants when they eliminated two top ultras of Lashkar-e-Tioba (LeT) in Thake Gund village of Rafiabad in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. Police said acting on specific information a joint team of police, army and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Thake Gund village. "The terrorists opened fire on the search party. In the ensuing encounter two terrorists Abu Saad and Abu Noman both residents of Pakistan, of LeT outfit were killed", said a police spokesman The duo was part of group of eight terrorists who had infiltrated into Kashmir in September 2013. "They were planning to reactivate LeT base in Sopore. Besides they had devilish designs to gear up militant activities in Sopore and adjoining areas", said the spokesman. The slain ultras was involved in a spate of violent incidents including IED blast near Watergam, attack on army convoy in Drugmulla area of Kupwara last year. They were also involved in grenade lobbing during parliamentary elections and IED blast on Baramulla Kupwara highway last year.

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