Speaking to All Stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir, Says BJP's Ram Madhav: 10 Developments

Mr Madhav of the BJP told NDTV that the party is weighing its options between the two major regional parties, the Peoples Democratic Party or PDP and Omar Abdullah's National Conference to partner, to ensure a "stable and credible government in the state."

He held talks with Muzaffar Hussain Baig of the PDP last night and sources said he could reach out to Omar Abdullah of the National Conference today.

Sources said Mr Baig, who vocally favours an alliance with the BJP, was acting on his own in talking to Mr Madhav and has not been authorised by his party, the PDP, which has pulled him up for doing so. Mr Madhav was dismissive about such reports saying those who meet the BJP have some kind of approval or mandate.

Mr Madhav told NDTV that all political parties committed to the development of the state should join hands with the BJP.

There are reportedly strong voices within the PDP opposed to an alliance with the BJP; the opinions of the two parties are the diametric opposite on several key issues. Also, sources said, the PDP, with three more seats than the BJP's 25, is disinclined to yield the post of chief minister to the latter.

Mr Madhav said talks with the PDP were at an initial stage and who would be chief minister if they tie up has not been discussed.

There has been buzz about a rotational chief minister - with each partner holding the post for three years, an experiment that the PDP has tried with the Congress before. In that scenario, the BJP reportedly wants the first three years. But the PDP is said to be unwilling to compromise on a full term as chief minister for its leader Mufti Mohammad Saeed.

The BJP, sources said, would prefer to ally with Omar Abdullah's National Conference over the PDP. BJP leaders feel, sources said, that it will be easier to install a BJP chief minister in Jammu and Kashmir if it partners with Mr Abdullah, who has won 15 seats, much fewer than the BJP's 25.

Mr Abdullah emphatically denied that his party is in talks with the BJP, tweeting on Thursday night, "So many stories doing the rounds about a BJP NC deal. Let me say this as strongly as possible - THERE IS NO DEAL NOR ANY DISCUSSION going on (sic)."

Some National Conference leaders too have expressed disquiet at the possibility of a tie-up with the BJP.  A legislator Aga Rohullah told NDTV, "People voted in large numbers to keep the BJP at bay. We can't give backdoor entry to the BJP to form the government. The last thing the people want is a BJP Chief Minister."