BJP ends alliance with PDP in Indian-controlled Kashmir

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India's ruling Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) on Tuesday pulled out of an alliance government with the regional People's Democratic Party (PDP) in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir.

With the breaking of the alliance, the region has automatically come under the Indian central government's rule.

"It's untenable for BJP to continue in alliance with PDP. Hence we are withdrawing," Ram Madhav, BJP general-secretary, told media.

Madhav said deteriorating law and order in the region, increasing radicalization and the recent killing of a senior journalist were the reasons for the BJP ending the alliance.

"Violence and radicalization have risen, and fundamental rights of the citizens are under danger. Besides, a journalist named Shujaat Bukhari was killed in broad daylight in Srinagar. Therefore, it was becoming untenable for us to continue," Madhav said.

Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, of the PDP, said she had resigned and that her party would not seek the support of other parties to restore a majority.

The Hindu nationalist BJP entered into an alliance with the PDP after an inconclusive election in 2014 to govern the Muslim-majority state.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.

TOP IMAGE: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti speaks during a press conference after submitting her resignation, in Srinagar, June 19, 2018. /VCG Photo

Source(s): Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency