The Peoples Democratic Party's demand on partial revocation Armed Forces' Special Powers' Act is creating some last moment hiccups in the talks with the BJP regarding government formation in J&K, sources told NDTV.
Although both sides have agreed in-principle on partial revocation of AFSPA -- which gives the army the authority to make arrests without warrants -- from some peaceful areas, the nitty-gritty continues to remain subject of debate.
In view of the security implications in the state, the BJP is reluctant to withdraw or revoke the Act -- even partially -- in haste.
The two parties also have different views on the modalities, timeline and how the matter is to be worded - "withdrawal" or "revocation".
Besides AFSPA, the key issues in which the gap needed to be bridged include Article 370, which gives Kashmir special status under the constitution, and initiation of talks with Pakistan and separatists. The challenge before the two sides is to find a mutually acceptable language on the issue of article 370.
The PDP has firmly opposed to any attempt to weaken Article 370 -- which is seen as vital for the state's autonomy by its residents.
It makes the consent of the state government necessary for laws except those related to defence or national security.
The PDP and the BJP had been placed first and second in the assembly polls - with one sweeping the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley and the other, the Hindu-majority Jammu. The back-channel negotiations regarding government formation had been fast-tracked after the Delhi assembly elections, which got over last week.
Omar Abdullah On What Should Be J&K Assembly's 1st Move After Polls Woman Arrested With Fiance, Friend For Killing Mother In Delhi: Cops Man, 22, Stabbed To Death After Road Rage In Delhi: Cops Life On Earth Originates From One Ancestor, Older Than Previously Believed Cops Probing Conspiracy Angle Into Kolkata Hospital Vandalism: 5 Points Omar Abdullah On What Should Be J&K Assembly's 1st Move After Polls Centre Closely Monitoring Mpox Situation, No New Cases Reported MK Stalin Unveils Mega Industrial Housing For 18,000 Foxconn Women Workers "Effective Immediately": Elon Musk's X Closing Operations In Brazil Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.