BJP-PDP in 'advanced stage' of finalising Common Minimum Programme: Amit Shah

NEW DELHI: BJP president Amit Shah today said that his party and PDP are in an "advanced stage" of finalising Common Minimum Programme ahead of forming a coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir and the issue of Chief Ministership will be discussed only after that.

"The proceess for making a Common Minimum Programme is on. It has reached a very advanced stage but yet not completed.

"It is only after the finalisation of the CMP that issues like who will be the Chief Minister and from which party, will be discussed. All this will be discussed only then," Shah told a private news channel.

He said that right now what should be understood is that the two parties have come together to help each other in the Rajya Sabha elections from the state.

Shah was replying to a question on whether their coming together for the Rajya Sabha polls is a clear indication of the two parties having resolved issues for forming the next government in the state including that of Chief Ministership.

The state has come under Governor's rule following a highly-fractured mandate in Assembly elections held there in December last year.

In the 87-member Legislative Assembly, PDP is the single-largest party with 28 members, closely followed by BJP with 25, National Conference (15), Congress (12) and others seven.

There have been indications that the Government formation in J and K will get a fillip after the Delhi assembly elections are over on February 7.

Both the parties have already joined hands for the four vacant seats of Rajya Sabha for which elections are being held. BJP and PDP have decided to contest on two seats each.