By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net,
Srinagar/New Delhi: BJP president Amit Shah late on Thursday evening met RSS top brass to persuade them over Article 370 and AFSPA, both of which are part of the conditions laid down in 11 point proposal by PDP for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir.
With intensified efforts for government-formation in Jammu and Kashmir, Shah drove down to ‘Keshav Kunj’, the RSS office at Jhandewalan in the national capital, and separately met the Sangh’s second-in-command Suresh Bhayyaji Joshi, besides RSS joint general secretaries Dattatreya Hosbale, Suresh Soni and Krishan Gopal, sources said.
Shah also held a separate meeting with Krishan Gopal, the RSS pointsman in dealing with BJP affairs, with whom he is learnt to have discussed crucial issues.
While PDP spokesman Naeem Akthar said “talks were on and we are hopeful of a positive outcome soon”, sources in the know of the developments said that both sides were working on finding a solution on withdrawal of the controversial of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
The meeting comes in backdrop of opposition by the RSS over reported dilution of BJP stand on Article 370 and Armed Force Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
BJP and PDP are keen to form a coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir where assembly elections threw up a hung verdict.
Earlier, the two parties wanted a government in place before budget session of the Parliament beginning February 23 but the differences on crucial issues has delayed such an exercise.
While PDP emerged as the single-largest party with 28 seats, BJP won 25 seats in the 87-member state assembly in results declared in December 2014. The state is currently under President’s Rule.