The News Craving
Srinagar:
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun reaching out to independent candidates in an effort to form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir.
With the elections likely to deliver a fragmented mandate, BJP leaders have reportedly initiated talks with several independent and like-minded candidates to gather the numbers required for a majority in the Union Territory’s Legislative Assembly.
Earlier, BJP chief Ravinder Raina Monday expressed confidence that his party will secure 35 seats in the upcoming elections, making it the single largest party in the region. Speaking to News18, Raina stated that the BJP has extended support to 15 independent and like-minded candidates, but firmly denied any association with Engineer Rasheed’s party.
“We have supported 15 independent and like-minded candidates, but we have no ties with Engineer Rasheed’s party,” Raina clarified. He also expressed optimism about the performance of the independents, adding, “They (Independents and like-minded groups) will score a victory. We will be the largest voted party in Jammu and Kashmir.”