BJP to Rope In Omar to Form Government in Kashmir?
NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party, which delivered a strong performance in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, is keeping all the options open in forming government in the lone Muslim-majority state in the country. Sources said the party had held a meeting with outgoing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Delhi this morning and discussed a possible alliance with the National Conference.
However, a section of BJP leaders have denied this. TV reports have quoted senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain as saying, "We met and there have been talks and since there have been talks, they will continue in the long run."
Meanwhile, after meeting the new party MLAs in the state, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said many options are open to BJP on the government formation.
Jaitley hinted at BJP playing a crucial role in government formation in the state, saying the party has won highest popular vote.
"We are in touch with untouched members of the new state Assembly," he said.
Jaitley said the meeting of newly elected MLAs have authorised party president Amit Shah to take a decision on the strategy in the state.
BJP has bagged 25 seats in the 87 member Assembly while the National Conference has got 15 seats making it a viable option for an ally.