It’s official: BJP wants rotational CM
Core Group Decision: Senior leader says can discuss all issues except rotational CM
Amid continuing deadlock over government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Bharatiya Janata Party has conveyed its “official stand” to the Peoples Democratic Party that any progress on formal talks can be made if they agree to the demand for rotational chief minister.
A senior BJP leader told Greater Kashmir that after the party’s Core Group meeting at New Delhi a couple of days back, “it has been conveyed to the PDP that formal talks on alliance can begin only if it agrees on the rotational Chief Minister.”
BJP’s general secretary (Organization), Ashok Koul, confirmed this. “Yes this was resolved in the Core Group meeting at New Delhi, but I cannot say whether this has been conveyed by the High Command to the PDP or not.”
“Although the decision has to be taken by the High Command, it was decided in the Core Group meeting that all issues can be discussed (with the PDP), except that of the rotational Chief Minister,” he told Greater Kashmir.
PDP’s chief spokesperson, Naeem Akhter, said for the party the focus of the government formation means welfare of people and progress of the state. “Details will come up when we start formal discussions with any party on government formation,” he said.
However, according to sources, the BJP has conveyed its stand to the PDP and is now waiting for their response.
“In the informal talks which are going on with the PDP, we are pushing and pursuing our stance regarding the rotational Chief Minister. We have no issues even if the CM from BJP is in the second half of the government’s tenure,” another senior BJP leader, close to the development, said. “The deadlock is only over this issue.”
According to BJP, its state legislators unanimously conveyed to the party high command that it must not give up its claim on the Chief Minister’s post.
