BJP, PDP alliance beyond govt. formation: Mehbooba

After meeting Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra to stake a claim to form a new government in the state, People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said that her father, late former chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, had forged an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for a 'purpose beyond government formation' and thanked the saffron party for extending unconditional support to her party.

"We are thankful to the BJP for extending their unconditional support for the formation of the government. Giving utmost respect to the mandate given by the people, Mufti Mohammed sahib had forged this alliance and formed a government," she told the media persons after her meeting with the Governor, along with former J-K deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh.

Expressing satisfaction that the agenda of alliance was reiterated and stressed by both the sides in recent times, she said that the alliance was forged keeping in mind the secular public of Jammu and Kashmir.

"Mufti sahib had forged this alliance for a purpose beyond government formation. Jammu and Kashmir is not like other states, you need to address things politically economically and socially. Happy that agenda of alliance is being stressed on by both sides at the highest forum," she said.

Meanwhile, Nirmal Singh said that BJP legislators unanimously supported PDP in the government formation.

"Have submitted letter to Governor where BJP legislators have unanimously supported PDP in Government formation.We shall sit together with PDP and decide on the future course of action..We shall sit together and discuss all details and formalities," he said.

Mehbooba handed over the letter staking claim to form the government to the Governor while Dr. Nirmal Singh handed over the letter from the BJP supporting her claim.

Earlier, the state BJP elected Dr Nirmal Singh as Legislative Party leader in a meeting of BJP legislators held at Jammu yesterday.

Singh was also nominated as the candidate for Deputy Chief Minister's position who has served in the same capacity in previous PDP BJP coalition government.

BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav and BJP MP and Union Minister of State in PMO Dr. Jitendra Singh also attended the meeting.