J-K deadlock ends: Mehbooba Mufti stakes claim; BJP extends support

PDP chief and Chief Ministerial candidate Mehbooba Mufti, today met Governor NN Vohra and staked claim for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir with BJP backing the first Muslim woman CM of the state.

BJP and PDP however said that the two coalition partners will discuss the dates of swearing-in ceremony. BJP said the two partners have to discuss certain issues and modalities.

“I am thankful to the BJP party for extending unconditional support to us in the formation of the government”, Mehbooba Mufti told reporters after meeting the Governor along with two MPs Tariq Hamid Karra and Muzaffar Hussain Beigh.

The leader of the BJP Legislative Party Nirmal Singh met the Governor and handed over the letter of the support to Mehbooba for formation of the new government.

“We have handed over the letter of support to Government as per the decision of our Legislative party,” he said.

BJP, however, said it will sit with PDP to work out various modalities.

“In time to come there are certain modalities and issues, which needs to be discussed and process of government formation will move ahead”, Singh said.

56-year-old Mehbooba said that focus of her government would be peace, reconciliation and development of Jammu and Kashmir.

“It (focus of the government) is peace, reconciliation and development”, Mehbooba said in reply to a question about the priorities of her government.

“Once again I would like to repeat that the coalition government which was formed after getting mandate of the people by our party in Kashmir and while respecting the mandate of the people, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had formed this alliance and the government”, she said.

Mehbooba said, “Jammu and Kashmir is a secular state and we have believe in brotherhood and co-existence because we have a composite type of population- Hindu, Muslim, Sikhs and Christians and keeping that in view that co-existence in Jammu and Kashmir, this alliance has taken place”.

“Mufti Sahib used to say repeatedly that he did not shake the hands with the Prime Minister of India but with over hundred crore people of India and the people who have choosen this government”, M said.

”I am very happy that reiteration of Agenda of Alliance has taken place between this and that side during past two and a half months. I am very happy about it because Mufti Sahib had forged this alliance for a larger purpose than just for the formation of the government”, she said.

“While the good governance is very much needed for the state. In the state of Jammu and Kashmir where there is such a situation and you need to address things politically and economically as well and socially”, she said.

She said that the Agenda of Alliance that was formulated during Mufit’s time on the development, I am happy that we will continue to further carry forward peace and reconciliation in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The Agenda of Alliance formulated during Mufti’s time has been supported at the highest level by the BJP whether it is Arun Jaitley ji or Ram Madhav Ji and above all the Prime Minister and the PM reassurance to us. I am very happy for that. I am satisfied will that also”, she said.