PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said "muscular security policy" will not work in Jammu and Kashmir and "reconciliation is key", moments after she submitted her resignation to Governor NN Vohra following the break up in the alliance with the BJP.
Mufti resigned as Chief Minister after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called off its alliance with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the terror-affected state.
"We had always said muscular security policy will not work in J-K, reconciliation is key. We will continue to strive for dialogue and reconciliation in J-K, alliance with BJP was not for power," Mufti said at a hurriedly called press conference in Srinagar.
"This alliance had a bigger motive- unilateral ceasefire, PM's visit to Pakistan, withdrawal of cases against 11,000 youth," Mufti said.
"I submitted my resignation (as J&K CM) to the Governor and told him that we are not looking to explore any other alliance," she added.
#WATCH LIVE from Srinagar: Mehbooba Mufti addresses a Press Conference #JammuAndKashmir https://t.co/oHY3JLHHu2
— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2018
Read | Mehbooba Mufti resigns as Jammu and Kashmir CM; 'this had to happen,' says PDP
Earlier in the day, BJP National General Secretary RAM Madhav addressed the media in the national capital and said, "We have taken a decision, it is untenable for BJP to continue in alliance with PDP in Jammu & Kashmir, hence we are withdrawing".
The decision to break alliance with PDP comes days after the Centre revoked unilateral Ramzan ceasefire in the Valley. Sources said that Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was not happy with Centre's decision to resume anti-terror operations in the Valley.
Read | Jammu and Kashmir government falls as BJP quits alliance with PDP