Srinagar, Jan 5 (IANS) Outgoing Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday took potshots at the PDP and the BJP amid signs that they were close to an agreement to form a coalition government.
Reacting to reports that the two parties were close to start structured negotiations on sewing up an alliance, Abdullah wondered how far they would go with the sole intention of taking power in the state.
Abdullah said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had attacked him in the past for seeking revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) but was now reportedly discussing this issue with the PDP.
"So when I raised AFSPA I was accused of playing politics with (national security). The BJP negotiates (government) formation with PDP using AFSPA, and that's OK??" Abdullah wrote on his Twitter handle.
Abdullah also said the Peoples Democratic Party was using the issue of flood relief to justify its negotiations on government formation with the BJP.
"We are being told by the PDP that the tie up with (the) BJP is necessary for the 44,000 (crore) flood relief. Shouldn't a state just get its due?"
Abdullah's comments came on a day BJP president Amit Shah holds a crucial meeting in New Delhi with the party's core Jammu and Kashmir group to discuss government formation in the country's only Muslim-majority state.
Sources in both the BJP and the PDP told IANS that the ice had been broken and an announcement of a formal dialogue on government formation was expected sooner than later.
Assembly elections produced a hung 87-member house. The PDP won 28 seats, dominantly from the Muslim-dominated Kashmir Valley, while the BJP got all its 25 seats from the Hindu-majority Jammu region.
Abdullah's National Conference and the Congress have 15 and 12 members in the house respectively.
Any government will need the support of at least 44 legislators.
The sources said an informal agreement had been reached on most issues and this would be given a formal shape in two to three days.
"A meeting between (PDP leader) Mufti Muhammad Sayeed and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely once the arrangement is formalised," a source said.
Earlier, both the BJP and the PDP -- which have held divergent views on some issues linked to Jammu and Kashmir -- asserted that they would not compromise on what they said were "basic issues".
The favours retaining article 370 of the constitution which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP has traditionally opposed this.
The PDP also wants the AFSPA, which gives sweeping powers to security forces, to go. The BJP does not agree.
Last week, PDP and BJP leaders called on Governor N.N. Vohra, who reportedly told them to return to him by Jan 19 with a formal proposal on government formation. The term of the outgoing assembly ends that day.
Center finds 10 big things said by the Supreme Court on farmers' protest
Farmers on the Delhi borders stand against three new agricultural laws brought by the Center. Despite several rounds of negotiations and efforts, this demonstration is not over, but now the matter
AAP claims: Kejriwal's weight has decreased by 4.5 kg since his arrest, and doctors expressed concern; The jail administration said this
The health of Arvind Kejriwal, lodged in Tihar Jail, is not good. It is being told from Aam Aadmi Party sources that till now Kejriwal's weight has reduced a lot. Kejriwal is losing weight rapidly.
Gaza War: Iran's President expressed confidence in India, and said- PM Modi will help in stopping the ongoing attacks on Gaza.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the phone with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday. The two leaders talked about the Israel-Hamas conflict. Let us tell you, the war between Israel and
Deeply pained by what's going on: Kejriwal
New Delhi, March 3 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said he was "deeply hurt and pained" by the ongoing tussle in the party."I am deeply hurt and pained by what is going on in
Pakistan: PAK security forces were guarding the Balochistan-Iran border, terrorists were targeted, and 4 soldiers killed
On Wednesday, terrorists carried out a cowardly act on Pakistan's border with Iran. Terrorists have attacked a convoy of Pakistani security forces. In which four soldiers have died. Inter-Services
The Lord of the Rings series will be made in 8000 crores: budget of one episode as much as Brahmastra, Star Fee budget in Stranger Things-4 is 2100 crores
In the 5 seasons of the upcoming series The Lord of the Rings- Rings of Power, more than 1 billion dollars, i.e. about 8 thousand crores are being spent. Every episode of its first season has been
LCA Naval Version's Second Prototype Test-Flown
Bengaluru, Feb 7 (IANS) State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Saturday conducted the maiden test flight of the second prototype of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas naval variant here."The
Shahrukh Khan: King Khan reached his son's event in Dubai, danced on 'Jhoome Jo Pathan', gave a signature pose
Shah Rukh Khan has been supporting his son Aryan Khan's luxury brand since the beginning. Recently, the actor attended an event in Dubai and danced to his song 'Jhoome Jo Pathan' from 'Pathan' at his
Student aid authority will rein in rogue banks
Chennai, March 1 (IANS) With almost all nationalised banks not following the education loan norms, the proposal to set up an information technology (IT) -based monitoring mechanism is a welcome
Prakash Singh Badal: Chautala family expressed grief, Abhay Singh said- 'The head of our family was former CM
The Chautala family of Haryana, which has close ties with the Badal family, has expressed grief over the death of Shiromani Akali Dal patriarch Parkash Singh Badal. Senior Indian National Lok Dal
