Won't form alliance in J-K in haste, says BJP

Asserting that all options are open for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, Bharatiya Janata Party state president Jugal Kishore on Monday said his party would not form an alliance in haste as they want a stable government which would last for 6 years.

"All options are open for the BJP. Talks are going on and a decision will be taken soon. We do not want to take any decision in haste as we want an alliance which will be stable for 6 years," he said.

BJP's core group leaders from the state met party president Amit Shah at his residence and discussed the issue of taking further the talks with the PDP.

"There has been an initiative from PDP's side. To take this forward, we discussed to hold further discussions on the issues (with PDP). At the moment, there is some forward movement on the issue," BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav told reporters after the meeting.

Sources said the during the meeting that lasted 90 minutes, the J&K party leaders held discussions with Shah on issues like the post of chief minister and the party's stand on Article 370 and AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) in case BJP goes along with PDP in the state.

"The issue has moved forward. As and when we move forward we will let you know. Keeping in mind the mandate in Jammu and Kashmir, we have decided to take forward the talks," Madhav said.

Among those who were present during the meeting with Shah where Madhav was there too, included Union Minister Jitendra Singh, party's in-charge Avinash Rai Khanna, BJP state unit president Jugal Kishore Sharma and senior state leaders Nirmal Singh and Bali Bhagat, among others.

Madhav later said as efforts to form a stable government are being made, the core group of J&K unit of BJP held a meeting with the party president and discussed the issue.

"The state leaders held discussions on some issues with the party president. The views of all party state leaders were taken," he said.

Madhav, however, denied starting any structured talks with the PDP and said only informal discussions have been held and formal talks will begin later.

BJP is keen to form its government in J and K, and has pitched for the chief minister's post, claiming that it has the public mandate in its favour, as it received the highest number of votes.