Some progress in talks with PDP, no breakthrough yet: BJP

The BJP Monday said that there has been some movement in the talks with the PDP for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir following a fractured verdict but no breakthrough has been reached between the two parties so far.

Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Ram Madhav told media persons here that there has been "some progress" in talks but "no breakthrough" yet.

"The talks will continue," he said.

Madhav, along with BJP's leaders from the state met party president Amit Shah Monday and discussed political developments in the state.

He said the BJP leaders suggested that talks with the Peoples Democratic Party, the single largest party in the state, should be taken forward.

BJP leaders said that PDP has shown some initiative in taking forward talks between the two parties to form a stable government.

Party sources said the state leaders held discussions on issues like the post of chief minister and the party's stand on article 370 and Armed Forces Special Powers Act in case BJP goes along with PDP in the state.

The two parties have differed on issues like article 370, which grants special status to the state, and AFSPA.

Among those present at the meeting was union minister Jitendra Singh and BJP state president Jugal Kishore Sharma.

BJP appears keen to be part of next government in Jammu and Kashmir as it has the highest percentage of votes.

With its 25 seats all from the Jammu region, the party finished second in the assembly elections, while the PDP emerged as the largest party with 28 seats.

Other two players - the National Conference (15) and the Congress (12) were in third and fourth positions. The results of the five-phased assembly polls were declared Dec 23.