BJP holds key to Jammu and Kashmir government formation

Srinagar, Dec 25: Government formation Thursday eluded both the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with the BJP holding the key in Jammu and Kashmir. Both the NC and the PDP leaders say they are open to discussions regarding an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to cobble a ruling alliance. The BJP's pre-condition of a Hindu chief minister in the state, at least for half the six-year term the new government would have in office, has become the Adam's apple the NC and the PDP can neither swallow nor throw up. "That is something we fought elections to stop from happening because of the fact that the only Muslim majority state of the country should not be forced on an emotional issue like that," said a senior NC leader who also confirmed that as of now the NC favours sitting in the opposition and let the party's arch rival, the PDP, grapple with the prospect of aligning with the BJP. The PDP won 28, the BJP 25, the National Conference (NC) 15 and the Congress 12 seats in the 87-member state assembly. Seven Independents also won. Though the Congress has offered support to the PDP for government formation, the two together make a figure of 40 while they need 44 seats to form a simple majority. Seven Independents hold the key to government formation, but their leanings are already clear.