File photo: PDP's Mufti Mohammad Sayeed
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who is likely to be the next Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, today said differences with the BJP over contentious issues like Article 370 and AFSPA have been ironed out in the Common Minimum Programme on the basis of which the two parties will form a coalition government in the state.
"I see this (PDP-BJP coalition) as a historic opportunity to end the decades of mistrust between Kashmir and Jammu regions of the state," the Mufti Sayeed told PTI in Jammu.
The 78-year-old former Chief Minister is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow to discuss modalities of government formation. Mr Modi is likely to attend his oath ceremony as Jammu & Kashmir chief minister for the second time.
The Mufti said his party, which won the maximum 28 seats, had offers of support from the National Conference as well as the Congress for government formation, but "there is no other option...governance is not our only aim. We have to also deliver on the peace agenda."
"With the mandate BJP has at the Centre, we will be able to achieve much more on both peace and development fronts. Any other alternative may not be feasible at all for the state," the PDP leader said.
The BJP 25 has won 25 seats in the 87-member Assembly in elections held in December. Together, the two parties are comfortably placed well above the majority mark of 44.
The veteran politician said the PDP-BJP alliance in the state would be a win-win situation for both the parties but more importantly it will be benefit the state.
Asked about the ideological differences between the two parties, especially the wide gap on sensitive issues like Article 370, gives Kashmir special status under the constitution and AFSPA, which gives the army the authority to make arrests without warrants, the Mufti said all issues have been addressed and shall be reflected in the Common Minimum Programme.
"Please wait for some more time. The differences have been ironed out and everything will be clear in the CMP," he said.