KL Desk
SRINAGAR
Observing that Jammu and Kashmir threw up a fractured mandate in the recent state assembly polls, Bhartya Janta Party (BJP) president Amit Shah Thursday said talks were on to form the government.
“Talks are on. It’s a strange type of a mandate. So, naturally.. None have a clear mandate,” Shah said during a press conference in Hyderabad.
Replying to a query on Article 370 which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir, he said Article 370 has been part of BJP’s agenda though nothing has been firmed up vis-à-vis government formation in the state.
“Article 370 has been part of BJP’s agenda. The question is that we don’t have a clear mandate. We have to form government. We are talking to other parties. It will be discussed and finalised. We cannot hide and we have to put it before the nation.. Nothing has been finalised,” he said.
He said BJP does not have the majority required for abrogation of Article 370.
Asked if BJP has “forgotten” the Ram mandir issue, he appeared to be evasive and said, “We have not forgotten. Even if we have forgotten, you have done right by reminding us.”
Shah made it clear that BJP is not in favour of “premature release” of 13 convicts, including five jailed in assassination case of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, as sought by Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal.
The BJP President on the occasion highlighted NDA government’s achievements in last seven months in office on various fronts, including formation of SIT to bring back black money, getting India’s concerns addressed at the WTO with regard to MSP for farmers, fall in food prices as per price index, Jan Dhan Yojana, Adarsh Gram Yojana, development of smart cities, Swachh Bharat Campaign among others.
Daughters are flowers that are forever in bloom