NC’s willing to compromise, PDP rigid, claims BJP
The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) Tuesday said that the stand of National Conference about government formation in Jammu and Kashmir with the saffron party is much softer than People’s Democratic Party. The party, however added that NC leadership is confused and has failed to come up with any ‘solid’ agenda before the BJP.
State Vice President and in charge Kashmir Affairs Ramesh Arora said the approach of PDP is very rigid over some issues. He said that PDP wants complete revocation of AFSPA, strengthening of Article 370 and control over power sharing. “We are in touch with both the parties but so far our understanding with NC is better as on certain issues the approach of NC is very soft and compromising,” he said, adding that BJP is confident of forming government in the state.
He said that BJP has held talks with PDP and NC leaders in a cordial manner. “BJP is not rigid on any issue but PDP is not ready to soften its stand on many issues,” he said.
Arora said that both BJP and PDP has reached at a consensus on certain issues but the issue of ‘power-sharing’ has turned out to be hurdle in finalizing the deal. “The approach of NC is very soft and they are ready to forge an alliance with us but at the same time the NC leadership is confused as they change their stance with every passing day,” Arora said adding that BJP wants to tie-up with a party that has got the mandate of the people.
“NC like PDP has also raised the issues like the revocation of AFSPA with us but unlike PDP, its stand is soft and it is ready to compromise on certain issues. On the other hand, PDP is in no mood to budge and is not ready to compromise on anything,” Arora said adding that the dialogue is on with both the parties and BJP will form the next government by taking either NC or PDP on board.
Arora made it clear that BJP has not kept aloof from Article 370 issue. “We are only silent on the issue but our stand to have a debate on it is very clear and we want to have a discussion on Article 370,” he said.
Terming the idea of ‘grand alliance’ as a ‘foolish’, Arora said that such an alliance will only divide the state on regional basis. “How can you ignore the mandate of people and will form the government keeping BJP at bay that has swept Jammu during elections,” he said.
Responding to a question, Arora said that senior leaders Jugal Kishore and Ram Madhav met Governor N N Vohra on Tuesday and both the leaders held thorough discussions with the Governor about the present scenario in the State. “Our leaders assured the Governor that it will form the next government in the state and the party needs some time,” he said.
