KL Report
SRINAGAR
A day after Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clarified that it was going ahead with BJP for the government formation, the Saffron party has decided to give a final touch to the preparations that would lead to the structured dialogue with the PDP.
BJP sources told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that a panel led by its state president Jugal Kishor has been nominated to hold formal talks with the PDP before a formal announcement on government formation is made jointly by the two parties. “The team would have no member from outside the state, but Parliament Member and MoS in Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Jatinder Singh would be the part of the committee that is also likely to include Dr. Nirmal Singh and others,” they revealed.
Sources within BJP said that the government formation was now just a matter of days and all contentious issues between the two potential allies have been almost resolved, including the chief minster issue. “The party (BJP) was waiting for the arrival of the national general secretary and party’s inchrage for JK affairs Ram Madav to arrive from London. BJP has almost conceded the demand of PDP to have Mufti Mohamamd Syed as the full term Chief Minster. However, deputy Chief Minster was likely to be from BJP,” they said.
“We were waiting for Madav to arrive for entering into the structured dialogue with PDP. As he arrived from London yesterday we expect to start the structured dialogue,” a senior BJP leader said. He however, added that Madav would not be the part of the official team that would hold talks with the PDP.
Meanwhile BJP sources said that the party was waiting for the official announcement of the negotiating team by PDP before they could announce their team. “There is a possibility that both parties would announce the teams simultaneously for holding structured dialogue,” said another senior BJP leader, adding that the announcement was likely to be made in a couple of days. According to sources, the government was likely to be formed by February 23.
Regarding the Peoples Conference (PC) Chairman Sajad Gani Lone, BJP sources said he would be the part of a cabinet from BJP’s quota but added that he (Sajad) won’t be the part of the negotiating team.
“Yes Sajad Lone is our ally and he would be the part of cabinet, but the negotiation is going to take place between BJP and PDP. So our allies are not required to be part of that process,” said a senior BJP leader.
The sources, however, said that BJP wanted to speed up the process and have already began the process of tuning up of the arrangement for government formation.
Meanwhile, BJP senior leader and MLA elect, Dr. Nirmal Singh confirmed that the informal negotiations with PDP were on and the process has been speeded up from last couple of days. He also confirmed that Sajad Lone would be the part of cabinet from BJP quota.
“We want the inclusive government, where we can take every one along and our motto is to being development in the state, so everyone has to be taken along.” Dr Singh said.
He added, that the political agendas’ of the parties should not be allowed to overshadow the developmental agenda. Singh who is seen as a potential candidate for deputy Chief Ministership preferred to downplay the PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s recent comments post Delhi poll results.
“That was an elderly advice and nothing should be read serious between the lines,” he added.
