BJP claims support of six more MLAs in Jammu and Kashmir

BJP’s ‘Mission 44’ may not have yielded desired results but the party appears to be in no mood to play second fiddle in Jammu and Kashmir.

Out of the total 87 seats in the state, the party had won 25, three less than the 28 won by the PDP.

Reports, Wednesday, said the BJP has the support of six more MLAs – BJP rebel Pawan Gupta, two MLAs of People’s Conference and two independents – taking its strength in the house to 31.

While the PDP is the single largest party and may be given the first opportunity to try and form a government, the numbers don’t favour it given BJP’s ambitions.

The numbers don’t add up for the PDP without the BJP. Congress, with 12 MLAs, has offered unconditional support but such a coalition may fall short of the majority if six out of the seven ‘others’ stay put with the BJP.

On the other hand, the BJP+ with 31 MLAs can form a government if the National Conference (15 MLAs) decides to back the national party.

However, such an alliance would not be easy for both the sides.

The BJP would have its reservations considering the mandate was against the NC, to take its support may affect its standing. Also, PM Modi had campaigned extensively against ‘dynastic’ rule in Jammu and Kashmir.

The decision would be tricky for the NC under Omar Abdullah as well. The NC leader has already indicated that his party was ready to sit in the opposition. Abdullah had also ‘cautioned’ PDP against tying up with the BJP and termed the possible move as “political suicide”.