Ram Madhav, Mehbooba meeting sparks fresh speculation over Government formation

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary Ram Madhav on Wednesday met Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti at her residence in Gupkar Road here over the issue of a government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, which is hanging fire since the demise of chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

The meeting lasted for around an hour. As per reports, Madhav arrived in a special chartered plane in a fresh attempt to break the deadlock over a government formation in the state. It is a fresh visit by Madhav and the BJP for striking a deal with the reluctant PDP chief.

National Conference working president and former chief minister Omar Abdullah tweeted about the unscheduled visit of BJP national General Secretary, saying something was cooking up regarding the PDP-BJP government formation.

Madhav, who played a crucial role in forging an alliance with the ideologically opposite PDP last year, might convey a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Mehbooba on the government formation. The stalemate continued as there was no headway on the issue.

Both PDP and BJP have not formally or informally initiated any process to discuss the issues that are impeding the new government formation. Mehbooba made it clear that she will not form the government with BJP in the State if the Central Govt does not create a conducive atmosphere by committing confidence building measures (CBMs) for the state. The state is under Governor's Rule since January 8.