File photo: Mufti Mohammad Sayeed
Peoples Democratic Party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today confirmed that the party is holding "track-II" dialogue with the BJP for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir but asserted that there will be no "sell-out" of his party's ideology on "core issues" for an alliance.
The repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act or AFSPA and resumption of talks with Pakistan and Kashmiri separatists are the PDP's conditions for forging an alliance with the BJP, he said.
The PDP had emerged as the single largest party in last month's Assembly elections by bagging 28 seats in the 87-member House while the BJP recorded its best ever performance in the state, winning 25 seats.
Mr Mufti said once some consensus evolves on the contentious issues, both parties will start a structured dialogue to form the government on the basis of a 'Common Minimum Programme'.
"Track-II dialogue with BJP over the formation of government in Jammu and Kashmir is in progress," Mr Mufti said.
"Once the track two dialogue gets some direction, a structured dialogue or the 'track-I' dialogue on the formation of a Common Minimum Programme will be initiated," he said.
The PDP patron made it clear that Article 370 - that gives special status to the state - should be made non-negotiable to protect Jammu and Kashmir's political and demographic character.
Mr Mufti was speaking at a party meeting in Jammu, in which his daughter Mehbooba Mufti was re-elected as PDP President for another three years.
His statement came against the backdrop of a meeting his close aide and legislator Haseeb Drabu had met with Governor N N Vohra on Friday evening, reportedly to inform him about the progress in the government formation efforts.