Talks hit last-mile hurdle

Talks between the Peoples Democratic Party or PDP and the BJP for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir have hit a last-mile hurdle, say sources.

The roadblock, said sources, is a written assurance that the PDP wants stating that the present constitutional status of J&K will be maintained. The regional party placed first, with the BJP coming second in elections held nearly two months ago, that threw up a hung assembly.

Negotiations between the two parties, seen as unlikely partners, have been on for weeks.  The PDP, which swept the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley, has been firmly opposed to any attempt to weaken Article 370, which is seen as vital for the autonomy of the state by residents. It makes the consent of the state government necessary for laws except those related to defence or national security.

In the past, BJP leaders have suggested that the need for Article 370 should be debated because it promotes separatism.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reportedly now take a final call on the common minimum programme on the basis of which the two parties plan to govern J&K. He is expected to meet PDP chief Mufti Mohammad Sayeed once the differences on the common minimum programme are ironed out.

Sayeed, 79, is expected to be chief minister in such an alliance. Junior partner, the BJP, will get the post of Deputy Chief Minister for its 59-year-old leader Nirmal Singh, sources have said.

As a regional party, the PDP has also asked for phased withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which gives the army the authority to make arrests without warrants. It is said to have suggested that the mechanism could be reinstated if necessary.

The two parties had indicated last week that they had reached an agreement that helped bridge the gap between them on these issues.