BJP to decide on extending support to Mehbooba Mufti

SRINAGAR: The BJP legislature party will meet today to decide on the issue of extending support to PDP president Mehbooba Mufti as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir following the death of incumbent Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

"We are meeting today. A decision on this issue will be conveyed to you later today," BJP state president Sat Sharma told PTI.

The PDP, which is coalition partner of the BJP in the state government, yesterday wrote to Governor N N Vohra about its support to Mehbooba for becoming the next Chief Minister of the state.

The PDP move came following the death of Sayeed at AIIMS in Delhi yesterday.

The PDP president can take oath only after the BJP informs the Governor about its support to Mehbooba for becoming the Chief Minister.

BJP, the junior coalition partner which has 25 members in the 87-member Assembly, yesterday made it clear it will go with the PDP's choice.

Senior BJP leader Ram Madhav, who played a pivotal role in stitching up the alliance with the PDP following the hung verdict in assembly elections in 2014, is expected to arrive here later in the day to put the process of new goverment formation in motion.

Meanwhile, official sources said preparations are being made at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) for the swearing-in ceremony likely to be held later today.

"We do not want to get caught off guard. We are just keeping the venue ready if the swearing in ceremony is taking place any time soon," an official said on the condition of anonymity.