Ram Madhav to hold talks with PDP chief to break impasse

NEW DELHI: BJP general secretary Ram Madhav is likely to hold talks with PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti next week as the party makes fresh efforts to break the impasse over formation of government in Jammu and Kashmir following the death of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Madhav, who had played a key role in forging alliance with PDP, may meet her after the 40-day mourning period following Sayeed's demise ends next week, party sources said.

PDP wants the central government to make some concessions on its Kashmir-centric political agenda, including relaxation in controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act, a demand the BJP has rejected in the past.

PDP is also pushing for more financial assistance to the state from the Centre.

The regional party apprehends that its alliance with BJP has cost it some popular support and it can recover the lost ground only by pushing its core agenda.

While late chief minister Sayeed was an enthusiastic votary of the tie-up with BJP, her daughter is more ambivalent about it, the sources said.