Even as PDP and BJP began talks in Srinagar last night to form a new government in Jammu and Kashmir, the consensus still eludes the two parties on some vital issues on which both the parties have ideological differences. BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav held two rounds of talks with senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig in Srinagar last night on the possibility of alliance between the two parties on Government formation. Mr. Madhav also held a series of meetings in Srinagar with leaders of other Valley-based political parties as part of efforts to form a government in the state.

According to reliable sources, the fractured mandate has created a peculiar situation for the Valley based political parties, the National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party as both the parties will have to assess the impact of forging an alliance with BJP on their future in the State, especially, in Kashmir Valley. As per reports Peoples Democratic Party has set some conditions to BJP for formation of an alliance Government in the State. The Party is demanding full six year CM term, status quo on Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, immediate withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from some areas and additional funds for flood ravaged State.

There are also reports that while both the parties have reached broad consensus on various issues, the main issues on which both the parties have major differences will be discussed between the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who has reportedly sought an appointment with the Prime Minister today.