`BJP won't lift AFSPA to end Jammu and Kashmir stalemate`

Srinagar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will not lift the contentious Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir to break the stalemate over government formation in the state, said a report on Thursday.

BJP general secretary Ram Madhav arrived here last evening to meet Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti in order to end the deadlock.

Earlier, The Times of India had quoted sources as saying that Madhav had conveyed to Mufti the Centre's willingness to lift AFSPA on a trial basis from Jammu and Kashmir. Madhav also reportedly talked about handing over two power projects to the state.

 

A stalemate over government formation resulted in imposition of Governor's Rule in Jammu and Kashmir after then chief minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed died on January 7 at AIIMS in New Delhi.

After her father's death, Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti said the central government must take confidence building measures so that she can head a stable ruling coalition in the state.

The BJP's stand has been that the agenda of alliance signed by the two parties last year that brought the coalition headed by Sayeed to power should be the only binding arrangement between the two parties.