BJP says it will form the next govt in J&K

BJP today said people of Jammu and Kashmir are looking up to it and the party will form the next government in the state on its own.

"We are ready for the elections. We are confident that we will form the next government here. People want a 'Modi Sarkar' (government) here too," co-incharge of BJP's state unit R P Singh told reporters here on the sidelines of a function held to induct new members into the party.

Singh said people of the state want a corruption-free government which can bring in a lot of development.

"People in Jammu, Kashmir as well as Ladakh are looking up to BJP. They want a corruption-free government and are fed up of state parties like NC (National Conference) and PDP (People's Democratic Party), as well as Congress," he said.

Assembly elections are scheduled in the state later this year.

To a question about the strike called by separatists yesterday on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state, Singh said, "Such things do not matter. What matters is what the people want and they want to have development and prosperity."

When asked about Kashmir's Grand Mufti (head priest) Mufti Bashir-ud-din's statement that people of Kashmir will not accept a separate homeland for the displaced Pandits, Singh said, "Pandits are a part of Kashmir and have a right to return," he said.

At the function, several persons, including political activists, advocates and retired government employees, joined BJP.