BJP denies rift in J&K alliance; Azad slams it

The BJP on Monday denied any rift in the BJP-PDP alliance government in Jammu and Kashmir and assured the Mehbooba Mufti-led government of its continued support.

"There is no rift in the BJP-PDP alliance," BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav told the media here after Peoples Democratic Party supremo and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital.

Madhav is the in charge of the Bharatiya Janata Party affairs in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We have extended all support to the state," he said.

According to him, the party's main concern is to bring "normalcy" in the Kashmir Valley within one-two months.

He said there was an issue regarding elections to the legislative council. "We have noticed a lack of communication on the issue and will address it."

On the other hand, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said peace won't be restored in the violence-hit state till the PDP-BJP government is in power.

"Peace won't be restored in Jammu and Kashmir as long as the coalition government is in power in the state. However, Governor's Rule is not the solution to the problem. The government should bring change in its approach," Azad told reporters.

Mehbooba Mufti earlier in the day met Modi and invoked former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's commitment to help restore normalcy in the troubled state.

The Chief Minister said talks are the only way to "move forward" but before that a "conducive atmosphere" needs to be created in the valley.

--IANS

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