BJP-PDP talks on but no word yet on controversial issues

While the structured dialogue with PDP was on for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP today said it was too early to say what issues will be "dropped" to arrive at a consensus on the agenda for the alliance.
The party also said the result of Delhi election, which will be out on Tuesday, will have no impact on government formation in Jammu and Kashmir.
BJP said it would be an "agenda-based alliance" but there were some issues on which both the parties are yet to reach a consensus."The structured dialogue is already under process. But it is difficult to say when we (BJP and PDP) will reach a consensus on these issues," BJP state president and MP from Jammu, Jugal Kishore Sharma, told reporters here.

On the issue of ideological differences between the two parties, he said, "so far BJP has not put any of its agenda under the carpet and we are in discussion (with PDP), but it is also a fact that BJP did not get majority to form the government on its own."
He said that BJP was still holding discussion. "We cannot comment on what issues we will reach a consensus and what issues need to be dropped," he said.
"We are discussing and debating on the issues and agenda and will let you know when the two sides reach an agreement. We will let you know on what issues we agree and what we reject. Our central leadership is discussing what issues we need to include and what to drop," he said.

Among the contentious issues are demand for revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act and Article 370, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Sharma said that BJP was not in a hurry vis-a-vis the formation of the government in Jammu and Kashmir as the party was committed to provide a strong and stable government to the people that completes its tenure of six years.
He said that the coalition between BJP and PDP would be issue based and the party (BJP) would not push any of its "main agendas" under the carpet.
"If BJP enters into an alliance it would be purely based on agendas and issues. It would be an agenda based alliance" he said.

"Dialogue (for the formation of the government in J&K) is on and we will see how far it goes. Our agendas are being discussed and will see how and when a consensus is reached on these issues," he said.
While expressing hope that his party would form the next government in New Delhi, elections for which were held yesterday, Sharma said that the results of Delhi elections would not impact the government formation in Jammu and Kashmir.
"Delhi elections have no link with the government formation in Jammu and Kashmir and the process for the formation of the government in Jammu and Kashmir will continue irrespective of what the results of Delhi elections are. We are hopeful that BJP will get a majority in Delhi also," he said.

PDP, with 28 seats in the 87-member J-K Assembly, is the single-largest party while BJP has 25 seats.