Amid speculations over the government formation, BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav arrived in the summer capital on Wednesday.
Even as BJP leaders said they did not know about Madhav’s visit, sources said the BJP national general secretary met People’s Conference chairman Sajad Lone on Wednesday. Madhav had played a key role in the formation of the previous PDP-BJP coalition government in the state.
This is Madhav’s second visit to the Valley after the BJP pulled out of the coalition government with the PDP. He had met Lone during his last visit as well on June 27, besides Langate MLA Engineer Rasheed, triggering rumours of government formation.
Despite the BJP having ruled out government formation, sources said Madhav would also meet rebel PDP leaders.
“He has come to weigh things but nothing can be said as of now as the BJP needs the support of 19 MLAs to form the government. Madhav will later give feedback to the party high command to decide on the next course of action,” the source said.
Even though there have been rumours of an alliance formation with Lone as the Chief Minister and five rebel PDP MLAs, the BJP, which has 25 MLAs, needs 19 more to form the government.
Pertinently, the Lone-led People’s Conference has got only two MLAs.
The National Conference has got 15 MLAs but party vice-president Omar Abdullah had ruled out all possibilities of an alliance with either the PDP or the BJP.
Interestingly, BJP state general secretary (organisation) Ashok Kaul said he was unaware of Madhav’s visit. “I am in Kargil (Ladakh). I do not know (anything about his visit),” he said.
BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur also said he did not know about the details of Madhav’s visit.
Ram Madhav in Valley, another meet with Sajad Gani Lone
