Alliance partners, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Peoples Democratic Party, have conveyed to the Raj Bhavan their inability to form the new government this month and the swearing-in ceremony may take place only after April 4.
Sources say the BJP wants the government in place before or by April 8, the day Chaitra Navratri will start. These days are considered auspicious days in the Hindu calendar.
“It should happen before April 8 only,” said BJP secretary Ashok Kaul.
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The sources said the BJP would do a major reshuffle of portfolios within the party and might induct fresh faces as ministers.
The party wants to take its time to assess the situation within the party and allot portfolios to new faces, said a party insider.
On the contrary, the PDP is seeking more time to ensure the BJP brass attends the swearing-in ceremony. Sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is travelling abroad in the first week of April, may not be available for the swearing-in ceremony.
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“The PDP would like top BJP leaders from the Centre to throw their weight behind Ms. Mufti by attending the swearing-in ceremony,” said a PDP leader.