'NDA should apply policies of Vajpayee and reach out to people of J-K,' says Mehbooba Mufti

People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said the country's leadership, especially the NDA, should use the opportunity to reach out to the people of the Jammu and Kashmir, before a decision is made on government formation in the state.

"The Jammu and Kashmir Government had called me for an informal discussion. The state has given a decisive as well as time divisive mandate. Today's mandate is very challenging but at the same time is an opportunity for the people of Jammu and Kashmir," said Mufti.

"The country's leadership, especially the NDA should use the opportunity to reach out to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and apply the policies of Vajpayee. We should handle issues like Vajpayee did. When there were ceasefires across the border during that time, he handled them very well. Our relations with Pakistan had also improved. We want a government where there is a peace process and development which can benefit every citizen," she added.

Earlier in the day, Mufti met Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra at the latter's official winter residence to take up the issue of government formation after the recent assembly elections in the state threw up a hung verdict.

According to reports, no party or combination of parties has so far staked a claim for government formation.

Mufti's meeting with Vohra comes after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary Ram Madhav and state unit president Jugal Kishore had called on Vohra to discuss the political situation in J-K. Madhav later told the media that his party will submit a formal proposal to the J-K Governor.

The J-K elections threw up a hung verdict, with the PDP emerging as the single-largest party in with 28 seats. The BJP won 25 seats, with the National Conference and Congress winning 15 and 12 seats respectively.

An elected government has to take oath by January 19, failing which the Governor's rule will be imposed in the state.