This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.

PDP And BJP In J&K Have No Distance Between Them, Says Ram Madhav

There Is 'No Distance Or Gap' Between PDP And BJP In J&K, Says Ram Madhav
NEW DELHI,INDIA MAY 3: J&K CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed addressing at the Jammu and Kashmir tourism Press conference in New Delhi.(Photo by Shekhar Yadav/India Today Group/Getty Images)
The India Today Group via Getty Images
NEW DELHI,INDIA MAY 3: J&K CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed addressing at the Jammu and Kashmir tourism Press conference in New Delhi.(Photo by Shekhar Yadav/India Today Group/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI -- There is "no distance or gap" between ruling coalition partners PDP and BJP in Jammu and Kashmir where Mufti Mohammed Sayeed will last his full term as Chief Minister, senior BJP leader Ram Madhav said today.

Madhav, a BJP general secretary, who played a major role in forging his party's alliance with PDP, also sought to scotch speculation about Mehbooba Mufti replacing her father at the helm.

"There is no distance and gap between PDP and BJP. The alliance, the coalition is working perfectly well. There are issues which the two parties are handling together very well.

"One may have any opinion about the state sitting from here, but in Jammu and Kashmir the government is trying to function, deliver on its promises to people as per Common Minimum Programme. There is no gap between BJP and PDP," Madhav, a former RSS spokesperson, told PTI in an interview.

Mufti has often dropped hints that his daughter may replace him by hailing her role in building PDP and that such a succession is "part of democracy". However, Madhav said he was unaware about any such exercise.

Asked if Mufti will head the government for its full term of six years, Madhav shot back, "It's like asking whether Modi will remain the Prime Minister for five years. Do you ask this question? He is elected Prime Minister, he will be there. He is elected Chief Minister, he will be there."

To a question if the alliance government in the state was working according to the expectations, he said, "Expectations can be very high. But it is working smoothly in the last six to eight months, the understanding between the two sides has improved and there is better cohesion now."

As far as running of the state is concerned, "both parties are on the same page", he emphasised.

On the security situation in the state which is allegedly witnessing increased radicalisation, Madhav admitted concerns have been expressed in official quarters, including by a top Army commander, but claimed such concerns were not limited to Jammu and Kashmir alone.

"There is this concern that probably some amount of radicalisation is happening. There is a concern. That will be addressed together by central and state governments. That will be taken care of. I must tell you that this issue, this concern, is not limited to Jammu and Kashmir. In several others parts of our country, there is this recruitment, radicalisation is happening," said Madhav.

Insisting that the PDP-BJP government was not to blame for the reported increase in militancy, he said the state had a long history of insurgency, terrorism and anti-India activities.

Contact HuffPost India

Also see on HuffPost:

Anti-India Protests In Kashmir

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.