Sajjad Lone likely to be cabinet minister from BJP quota
MLA Kalakote Kohli may be projected as Muslim face from Jammu
Jammu, Feb 9: The right wing Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP’s) high command has summoned three State leaders to Delhi for talks on government formation while separatist-turned-mainstream politician Sajjad Lone is likely to be inducted as minister in the cabinet from the saffron party’s quota.
Sources told Kashmir scenario that Member Parliament (MP) and state president Jugal Kishore, MLA Billawar Dr Nirmal Singh and Ashok Koul have been summoned by the party’s high command to Delhi to seek consent of the state unit before the formation of the Common Minimum Program (CMP) for a coalition government with PDP. They said the three State BJP leaders left for Delhi this evening. Nirmal Singh told Kashmir scenario that although formal talks between BJP and PDP have yet to begin, efforts were underway to give a stable government to the State. “We have not held formal talks with PDP so far.
The party’s central leadership will do it,” he said, adding his Delhi visit was a routine work. Sources in BJP said discussion over the formation of CMP with PDP leadership will be held after party high command takes into account concerns and demands of the state unit. “The party leadership will hold talks with PDP in coming days. There are certain issues which both parties want to discuss properly to avoid confrontation for smooth functioning of coalition government in J&K,” a senior BJP leader said. Sources in BJP said party is likely to give the cabinet ministry to Peoples Conference (PC) chairman and MLA Handwara Sajjad Lone from the party quota.“The party also may induct MLA Kalakote Abdul Gani Kohli as a minister to project him as a Muslim face from Jammu region,” they said.
Kohli was the only Muslim candidate from BJP, who won elections from Jammu region.