With three weeks left for the expiry of deadline for the formation of next government in Jammu and Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to respond to the unconditional support offered by Congress and National Conference (NC), though it has held initial round of talks with BJP. Though the deadline for the formation of next government is January 17, Governor N N Vohra has written letters to single largest Party, PDP and BJP, which is second with 25 seats in the 12th Assembly, inviting them to negotiate and find out ways to end the deadlock as no party could reach the magic figure of 44 in the 87-member House.

Meanwhile, according to PDP chief spokesperson Nayeem Akhtar, the Party has kept all options open and no decision has yet been taken on the formation of new government in the state with any other party. He said that PDP has sought assurance from the BJP over certain issues like safeguarding Article 370 and revocation of AFSPA which form the core agenda of the regional party. He said the PDP leadership was discussing all its options including an alliance with the BJP.

Meanwhile, PDP President Ms. Mehbooba Mufti said that being a responsible political party, PDP will take not only its cadres but the people of the State on board before arriving at any decision regarding the future course of action.

In a related development BJP on Saturday said talks are going on with other parties on government formation in Jammu and Kashmir. BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav said that since BJP has got a crucial mandate in Jammu and Kashmir as such the party will be involved in government formation. However, he did not disclose name of the parties with whom BJP is talking.