On Sunday, the Peoples’ Democratic Party authorised party president and the chief minister nominee Mehbooba Mufti to decide on the alliance to form the state government. The party also had its first meeting since the death of former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. After the hours-long meeting, party leader Naeem Akhtar addressed the media and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and stressed the importance of the ‘agenda of alliance’, a pact made between the PDP and the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2015.

Neither party has confirmed an alliance, but Akhtar’s praise of Modi and his efforts to improve relations with Pakistan is being seen by many as a hint towards both parties joining hands in the state. The BJP has said it is hopeful the alliance will continue, and that it is waiting for the PDP’s decision. The party has maintained its distance from Mufti after its recent criticism of the lack of progress of the ‘agenda of alliance’, The Hindu reported.

The Times of India reported that many PDP leaders are in favour of a continuing alliance with the BJP. The state was put under Governor’s rule on January 8, while the PDP decided on a course of action. The party won 27 seats in the state assembly in 2015, while the BJP secured 25 seats in the 89-member assembly.