Talks on to form a BJP govt in J&K: Amit Shah

BJP president Amit Shah on Friday said that the party is in talks with both PDP and NC and would like to form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Our talks are going on with the two parties in Kashmir. We will let you know once there is a development. We are trying to form a BJP government in the state,” Mr. Shah, who was here to take stock of the party’s membership drive and its growth, told reporters.

The recent Legislative Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir threw up a hung verdict in the state with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerging as the largest party, followed by BJP.

Mr. Shah, who has been focused on expanding the party in south and eastern states of the country, set a target of enrolling 45 lakh members in Andhra Pradesh.

The ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh is a constituent of the NDA and Mr. Shah said that BJP would like to work for its expansion in the state in a positive sense.

“I have the right to make my party grow. It does not mean that we will work against Telugu Desam. We want to expand BJP with a positive outlook,” he said.

BJP and TDP are working together for development of Andhra Pradesh and the country and there are no differences between the two parties, the leader said.

Amid reports that several senior leaders from Congress in Andhra Pradesh are likely to join BJP, Mr. Shah said that his party welcomes all those who subscribe to the party’s ideology.

“In the system of multi-party democracy, BJP moves forward on the basis of its ideology. We will go to people of Andhra and tell them about our ideology and leadership. Whoever wants to join BJP is welcome,” he said.

The leader also assured the support of the Central government to Andhra Pradesh as per the federal structure.

“We definitely wish that Andhra Pradesh develop. In the federal structure, without showing favoritism, Government of India would give priority to Andhra Pradesh and give all kind of support,” he said.

Commenting on the economic growth of the country under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Shah said that within a short period of 7 months, the growth rate has risen from 4.5 per cent to 5.7 per cent and this would continue an upward trend under Mr. Modi’s leadership.

He also mentioned that India’s international relations have tremendously improved and many countries are accepting our economic policies.

On the Clean Ganga mission, the BJP chief said that it would be extended to other rivers in the country as well, which will ultimately ensure supply of clean water for both irrigation and drinking purposes.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, Union Commerce Minister (independent charge) Nirmala Sitharaman, BJP MP and party’s Andhra Pradesh unit president K Haribabu and others were also present.

Mr. Naidu pointed out that the Congress is practically non-existent in AP now and that BJP would like to occupy that political space.

“I am confident that under the combination of Prime Minister and the party president, we will be able to expand further and strengthen our base across the country. In the coming days, our focus is more on East and South. Because, these are two areas where there is scope for expansion.

“There is political vacuum also. There is lot of response coming for BJP in Andhra Pradesh. There is a vacuum because Congress is practically out. That space is open now. BJP will try to occupy that space,” he said.

“After Amitji took over, there is no stop for BJP,” he added.