BJP admits to ‘issues’ as PDP insists on written assurances

The BJP on Tuesday admitted that there were issues to be discussed with PDP over government formation in Jammu & Kashmir and refused to give any time frame for reaching an agreement.
According to TV reports, PDP is insisting on a written assurance on the two ticklish issues of Article 370 and AFSPA.
Admitting that discussion did take place with PDP, BJP leader GLV Narasimha Rao said it was too early to give any time.

While trying to hammer out a common minimum programme (CMP), the two sides have been cautious over the issues of Article 370 and Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) over which they have otherwise divergent stands. The two parties have been busy trying to devise a formula that takes care of the sensibilities of their respective constituencies without appearing to be any sell-out by either side.
Meanwhile, Congress took potshots at the proposed alliance.
Congress leader Manish Tewari said, “If the PDP & BJP can come together then it means the sun can rise from the west.”
“BJP & PDP have nothing in common ideologically, they are only coming together because of numbers,” PC Chacko said.
The BJP has 25 MLAs and the PDP 28 MLAs. PDP’s six-member team in dialogue are Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Tariq Hameed Qarra, spokesman Nayeem Akhtar, and MLAs Haseeb Drabu, Altaf Bukhari and Vikramaditya Singh.