BJP's Ram Madhav to hold talks with PDP's Mehbooba Mufti over Jammu and Kashmir government formation

SRINAGAR: BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav is expected to be here tomorrow for talks with PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti to break the impasse over formation of government in Jammu and Kashmir following the death of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

"Madhav is expected to meet the PDP president tomorrow or day after. The day and time of the meeting will be finalised once the BJP leader arrives in Kashmir," a senior PDP leader told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

Madhav, who played a crucial role in forging an alliance with the ideologically opposite PDP last year, is expected to convey a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Mehbooba on government formation.

Jammu and Kashmir was placed under Governor's Rule on January 8, a day after death of then incumbent Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Initially, Mehbooba, who is tipped to be the next chief minister if PDP and BJP form the government again, refused to take oath of office during the mourning period for her father.

The PDP president then started dragging her feet on government formation saying the Centre needed to take steps for implementation of 'Agenda of Alliance' arrived at between the two parties.

As the stalemate between the BJP and the PDP entered second month, Governor NN Vohra has delegated more powers to Chief Secretary B R Sharma and senior IAS officer B B Vyas.

The Governor also asked all political appointees of the previous PDP-BJP government to put in their papers which saw Advocate General, Jahangir Iqbal Ganai and most members of his team resign yesterday.