J&K government formation: BJP keeps all guessing, Arun Jaitley says we hold ‘veto power’

BJP is looking ahead to form govt in J&K, however the decision will be taken by the top leadership, said Jaitley.

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Jaitley said that the party is looking ahead to form government in J&K, however the decision will be taken by the party central leadership. (Source: PTI photo)

Ruling out the possibility of governor rule, the BJP on Thursday left it to the party president to take the final call on government formation in Jammu and Kashmir.

“I do not think so…people have given mandate for government formation,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told media persons when asked about the possibility of governor rule in the event of any party failing to forge an alliance to reach the desired 44 mark in the legislative assembly.

Jaitley said BJP now holds the “veto power” in the state. “Earlier, the veto power was in the hands of Congress and now it’s in the hands of BJP,” he said.

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When asked about the chief minister, he said that it was not the time to discuss these issues. “These can be discussed only after we reach an understanding with some Kashmir based party,” he said, hinting that an exercise is on in the matter.

Earlier, the newly elected BJP legislators left it to their Central leadership to take a decision on formation of government as also their legislature party leader in the state.

Jaitley who along with Madhav and MOS Dr Jitendra Singh attended the legislislature party meeting at Hari Niwas hotel here, said that the party will take a decision that strengthens integrity of the nation and also satisfies the aspirations of the state. The party legislators, though on favor of forming the government, have left the decision to their national president, he added.

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Raising pitch for formation of BJP government in the state, Jaitley said that though PDP with 28 seats has got more numbers in the assembly, the BJP with 30 per cent vote share has got the majority popular support during the assembly elections.

“Where the BJP will sit in the Legislative Assembly or it will form government, all options are open with us,” he said, adding that a final decision has been left with the party national president.

The 2014 assembly polls have thrown a hung verdict, with PDP getting 28 seats has emerged as single largest party in Muslim dominated Valley and the BJP (25) in Jammu region with Hindu majority. The NC has got 15 seats, Congress (12) and others (7).

“The BJP had contested only 76 of the 87 seats in the state, while others had fielded candidates at all the places,” he pointed out.

(With inputs from PTI)