No signs of government formation in Jammu and Kashmir yet

Srinagar/Jammu: There were no signs of either PDP, the largest group, or BJP, the close runner-up, getting the requisite numbers to stake claim to forming a new government in Jammu and Kashmir as the deadline set by Governor N N Vohra for discussions fast approached.

A team of PDP, which has 28 MLAs in a House of 87, led by its President Mehbooba Mufti will meet Vohra in Jammu tomorrow and discuss with him government formation while the BJP is expected to give its proposal on January one.

Ahead of the meeting, PDP spokesperson Naeem Akhthar told PTI that the party was not ready with any solution "as yet" to end the political stalemate and all options were still on the table for it.

"We are not ready with any solution as yet. It's a very difficult situation and we are trying our best to convert this into an opportunity for the welfare of the state, its economic development and ending political uncertainty about it," he said.

In the middle of continuing political uncertainty, rumours were agog in the Kashmir Valley that the 15-member legislature party of the National Conference (NC) has passed a resolution supporting PDP, which was denied by NC General Secretary Ali Mohammed Sagar.

"We have verbally stated to PDP that in case they want our support, they should talk to our leadership," he said.

PDP is holding intra-party discussions on possible alliances which the party can enter to form the next government in the state.

Meanwhile, PDP patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed was holding consultations with his MLAs and workers. "Sayeed continued consultations with the party rank and file," Akhtar said.

He said the PDP patron has been meeting party leaders, newly-elected legislators, senior workers and some of the members of civil society in a bid to shape the party's response to the challenge thrown up by the fractured verdict.