After a nearly two-week stalemate over government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP on Monday said PDP has shown some "initiative" in joining hands with it and hinted that certain controversial issues could be set aside.
BJP also indicated that a committee of some senior leaders is likely to constituted to hold further talks with the PDP leadership and work out a common programme for good governance.
The party's core group leaders from the state met BJP president Amit Shah at his residence here and discussed the way forward with the PDP, led by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. Sources said the during the meeting that lasted 90 minutes, the J&K party leaders held discussions with Shah on issues like the post of chief minister and the party's stand on Article 370 and AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) in case BJP goes along with PDP in the state. Their reservations on these key issues were also sought by Shah.
"There has been an initiative from PDP's side. To take this forward, we discussed to hold further discussions on the issues (with PDP). At the moment, there is some forward movement on the issue," BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav told reporters after the meeting.
"The issue has moved forward. Keeping in mind the mandate in Jammu and Kashmir, we have decided to take forward the talks," he said. Among those who were present during the meeting with Shah where Madhav was there too, included Union Minister Jitendra Singh, BJP state unit president Jugal Kishore Sharma and senior state leaders Nirmal Singh and Bali Bhagat, among others.
Madhav later said efforts to form a stable government are being made but added that only "informal discussions" have been held with PDP and "structured talks" will begin later.
"The state leaders held discussions on some issues with the party president. The views of all party state leaders were taken," he said. Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Arun Jaitley conceded that it was "very difficult" for political parties to give up their ideological positions but hinted that controversial issues could be set aside.
He underlined that a government in the sensitive state should be based on three issues -- sovereignty, good governance for developmental activities and regional balance -- and hoped that "parties involved" would put their "heads together" for the larger interest of the state.
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