Coalition with BJP will continue, says People's Democratic Party

Srinagar: Ending suspense over the future of its tie-up with BJP, PDP today said the coalition will continue on the basis of 'Agenda of Alliance' reached between the two parties last year but gave no timeframe for formation of the new government.

"As far as I am concerned, there is no suspense. We have lost a stalwart like Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. Once the official mourning period (seven days) is over, I think the (coalition) government will carry on under the leadership of Mehbooba Mufti," PDP's chief spokesperson Mehboob Beg told reporters.

The state government had declared a seven-day official mourning as a mark of respect to Sayeed, then Chief Minister who passed away at AIIMS in Delhi on last Thursday. This mourning period will end tomorrow.

Beg, however, did not give a timeframe for government formation in the state which was brought under Governor's Rule on Friday following the death of Sayeed a day earlier.

He said no conditions had been laid either by the PDP or the BJP for the government formation in the state as all the issues had been thrashed out in 'Agenda of Alliance' last year.

"This government will continue after the state mourning is over as per the 'Agenda of Alliance' in which all the issues that were between this alliance of North Pole and South Pole have been sorted out by Mufti sahib," Beg said.

The PDP spokesperson said the 'Agenda of Alliance' between the two parties encompasses all the issues -- both political as well as economic -- and will form the guiding the document for the six-year term of the coalition.

"I do not think there is any need for talks (with BJP). I do not see any issues that need to be resolved," he added.

Asked about the speculation of Congress offering support to PDP for government formation, Beg said AICC president Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad had come only to pay respects to Sayeed who had spent a long time in that party.

"Soniaji and Azad Sahib came to pay respect to the person who had helped Congress take roots in Jammu and Kashmir," he added.