PDP-BJP alliance govt to continue: PDP

Ram Madhav says there is no demand from their side to change power sharing agreement

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today sought to end the uncertainty that has cast a shadow over its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jammu and Kashmir after passing away of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed.

The party today said the PDP-BJP coalition government will continue on the basis of the common minimum programme agreed between the two parties in January 2015.

"As far as I am concerned, there is no suspense. We have lost a stalwart like Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. Once the official mourning period (seven days) is over, I think the (coalition) government will carry on under the leadership of Mehbooba Mufti," PDP's chief spokesperson Mehboob Beg said in Srinagar. The state is currently under Governor's Rule.

On Monday, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav, who had played a key role in negotiating the common minimum programme with the PDP, had said in New Delhi that there were no demands from the BJP's side to change power sharing agreement and had expressed that Mehbooba would soon take over as the next chief minister of the state.

Beg said no conditions had been laid by either of the two parties for the government formation in the state as all the issues had been thrashed out in the 'Agenda of Alliance' (common minimum programme) last year.

The PDP spokesperson said the 'Agenda of Alliance' between the two parties encompasses all the issues -- both political as well as economic -- and will form the guiding the document for the six-year term of the coalition.

"I do not think there is any need for talks (with BJP). I do not see any issues that need to be resolved," Beg said. He termed the visit by Congress President Sonia Gandhi to Mehbooba as one to pay her condolences to the bereaved daughter.