Jammu & Kashmir may get first Hindu Chief Minister

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which finished second in J&K Assembly polls with 25 seats behind the single largest party PDP (28), has been vigorously trying to form the government in the state with the support of other parties. Jammu & Kashmir is all set to get its first Hindu Chief Minister, as BJP may install Minister of State in PM Shri Jitendra Singh at the helm of affairs.

BJP’s J&K in-charge and RSS ideologue Ram Madhav held two round of talks with PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig in Srinagar last night. The first meeting was held at Baig’s residence. And, the second round of talks were held at the hotel where Ram Madhav is staying.

Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Ghani Lone, whose party has two MLAs, was the first to meet Madhav and extend his support to the BJP in government formation. Mr. Lone may get a plum post if BJP forms the next government in J&K. Lone is known for admiring PM Narendra Modi. Peoples Democratic Front chairman Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, who won from Khan Sahib segment in Budgam district, too met Ram Madhav.

Although National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah had met senior BJP leaders Amit Shah, Arun Jaitley and Ram Madhav in Delhi two days ago, he is reportedly adamant on a Muslim CM for Jammu & Kashmir, which was rejected by the BJP, as 24 out of 25 of its MLAs are Hindus. BJP got all 25 seats in Jammu only.

The BJP Legislature Party held a meeting in Jammu and authorised party President Amit Shah to take a decision on their behalf. It is being speculated that Jitendra Singh will be elected as the Leader today even though he is not a member of the Assembly. There is a pressure on the BJP from all quarters to shed its demand for the abolition of Article 370, which gives special status to J&K.