Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh on Monday rubbished rumours of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) setting tough conditions for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) if they want to continue the alliance in the state.
“Sonia ji had come yesterday. She must have expressed her grief. It is natural. I don’t think politics was discussed. These are all rumours. The PDP has not set any conditions,” he said.
Singh also added that the BJP had no information on a possible coalition between the Congress and PDP.
“The PDP has not said anything to us. So, I think making speculations will not be correct,” he added.
The PDP’s reaction came a day after Congress president Sonia Gandhi met party chief Mehbooba at her Fairview residence in Srinagar. Congress leaders Ambika Soni and Ghulam Nabi Azad were also present in the meeting, which lasted for around 20 minutes.
While Sonia Gandhi did not talk to reporters, Azad said they had ‘come only for condolences’.
The meeting is seen as politically significant as BJP, an ally of PDP, has yet not officially extended support to Mehbooba for the chief ministership after Mufti Mohammed Sayeed’s demise.
After Sonia’s visit, Gadkari arrived along with Nirmal Singh and BJP state president Sat Sharma. The meeting between the BJP leaders and Mehbooba also lasted around 20 minutes. (ANI)