BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav's press conference on the decision to pullout of its alliance with the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir.


"It has become untenable for the BJP to continue with the alliance with the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir.  We had formed the government in the state in 2014, but it was a fractured mandate. The PDP had got the majority of votes and after four months of discussion we decided to join hands with the PDP with a common minimum programme. We thought government will last for five years.

"We had to respect the mandate of the people. If we would not have formed govt at that time, Governor's rule or Presidential rule would have been imposed in the Valley. We had an alliance with them just for the mandate that was given by people


"We had formed government with the agenda of restoring peace in the Kashmir Valley, encouraging development in Ladakh, the Kashmir Valley and Jammu.

"Terrorism, violence and radicalisation have risen and fundamental rights of the citizens are under danger in the Valley. Shujaat Bukhari's killing is an example. He was killed in broad daylight in Srinagar and the culpirts have not been caught. Growing terrorist activity is a concern.

"Keeping in mind the larger interest of India's security and integrity, fact is that J&K is an integral part of India, in order to bring control over the situation prevailing in the state we have decided  that the reins of power in the state be handed over to the Governor.

"We must accept that the state government has failed. The suspension of anti-terror was a goodwill gesture not a sign of weakness.

"The Centre did everything for the Valley. We've tried to put a full-stop to the ceasefire violations by Pak. PDP has not been successful in fulfilling its promises. Our leaders have been facing a lot of difficulties from PDP in developmental works in Jammu & Ladakh.

"Even if Governor rule is imposed in the Jammu & Kashmir, our efforts to fight terrorism will continue."


Omar Abdullah tweets, And so it has come to pass........


Reports say that Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti has handed in her resignation.