BJP working on ‘something’ in Jammu and Kashmir, says former deputy CM Kavinder Gupta

After pulling out its alliance with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Bharatiya Janata Party is “working on something” to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir, former deputy CM Kavinder Gupta said on Wednesday.

“I don’t think a new government will be formed anytime soon. Uncertainties are there, but we are working on something and people will get to know about it,” ANI quoted Gupta as saying.

Soon after Gupta’s remarks, National Conference chief and former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah said that the “something” the BJP leader was talking about would be to break other parties and arrange members to form the government.

“What do you mean “we are working on something”? The only “something” would be to break other parties & make up the numbers to form a BJP Govt. Has the former DCM inadvertently spilled the beans?” Abdullah tweeted.

The former J&K CM demanded fresh elections in the Valley, saying that the saffron party can’t be trusted not to indulge in horse-trading.

“The J&K state assembly should be dissolved immediately & fresh elections should take place as soon as appropriate. The former DCM has admitted that BJP can’t be trusted not to horsetrade for Govt formation,” he said in a series of tweets.

Earlier on Tuesday, the BJP snapped its ties with Mehbooba Mufti's PDP and demanded Governor’s rule in the state.

“It had become untenable to continue with the PDP government in Kashmir,” BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav said, accusing Mufti of non-cooperation.

Following the crash of the government, Governor’s NN Vohra had written to President Ram Nath Kovind for the imposition of Governor’s rule under Section 92 of the Constitution.

On Wednesday, the President accepted Governor’s suggestion and imposed Governor’s rule in the state for the eighth time since 1977.