J-K Govt. formation: BJP demands equitable distribution of power

The core group of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday met in Jammu over the issue of government formation in the state and demanded equitable distribution of power.

"Our numbers are the same as that of the PDP. It is not wrong to expect that we have the same numbers like them. The representation should be equal. The party high command is negotiating on this. We just want equitable distribution of power. When our members are same, then Jammu should get equitable power. The people should feel that justice has been done," core group member Sunil Sethi told the media here.

Resonating similar sentiments, another core group member Gagan Bhagat said that the BJP not only has Jammu and Kashmir but the whole nation, adding that the portfolio allocation is an important issue.

"Our core group is there to discuss it. The shares in the portfolio should be equal. We allied with the PDP so that the people of Jammu get their due," he added.

The BJP has sought equal number of portfolios as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In the earlier Cabinet, the PDP had 11 portfolios while the BJP had seven.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti is likely to be sworn in as the first woman Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on April 4.

Mehbooba, had earlier met Governor N.N. Vohra and staked claim to form the government with the support of 25 MLAs of the BJP. The PDP has 27 MLAs in the 87-member state Assembly.