Democracy is being taken for a ride in J-K: NC

Describing the meeting between People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over government formation in Jammu and Kashmir as travesty of democracy, the National Conference on Tuesday said that she should either form the government with the BJP or step down as the prolonged deadlock is causing pain to the state.

"The NC wants that there should be a civilian government in place without further loss of time. The current situation saddens us. Democracy is being taken for a ride; the mandate given by the people is being thrown to the winds. The two parties qualify to form a government and if they cannot then for the sake of democracy they should step down," National Conference leader Mustafa Kamal told ANI here.

Kamal further alleged that Mehbooba went to meet the Prime Minister unprepared.

"She should have gone there with all cards in her hand. She could have gone to Delhi after meeting her party executives which she has not done, she went without doing her home work and it is unfortunate and this will result in extension of painful wait," he added.

Mehbooba, who called on Prime Minister Modi at the latter's official 7, Race Course Road (RCR) residence in the national capital, dubbed the meeting to be 'positive' and said that a final call in this regard would be taken after the legislature's meet on March 24.

"I am satisfied after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was a very positive meeting. A stalemate was going on for a long time. A final call will be taken after the legislature meet on Thursday," Mehbooba told the media.