BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav met Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday, in the first attempt to iron out differences between the two parties and pave the way for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, which has been under Governor’s rule since January 9.
Mr. Madhav arrived here by a special flight in the evening, headed for Ms. Mufti’s ‘Fair View’ residence on Gupkar Road and held a closed-door meeting that lasted one hour. No other leader was present, sources said.
After the meeting, Mr. Madhav avoided the media and rushed to the Srinagar airport for his return flight.
The meeting once again failed to yield a decision on government formation.
Sources said Ms. Mufti again reiterated her demands. Sources said the PDP-BJP coalition continued to hang by a thread. “To sustain the coalition, more spadework is needed, and we are not meeting any deadline,” a top PDP source said.
PDP sources denied that the Jawaharlal Nehru University issue might cast a shadow on government formation. But it might delay the process. Ms. Mufti, a Member of Parliament from Anantnag, is leaving for Delhi on February 21 to attend the parliamentary session. The two parties may announce the final decision in the capital.
The sources said the recent developments did create a positive atmosphere.
