India's ruling BJP agrees to form coalition gov't with local party in Indian-controlled Kashmir

India' s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said Tuesday that it will form a coalition government with pro-Indian Peoples Democratic Party in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

The announcement was made by BJP President Amit Shah after meeting PDP President Mehbooba Mufti in New Delhi.

The heads of two parties met following deliberations over two months between their parties to form the coalition government in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"The two parties have almost reached a consensus on common minimum program and BJP-PDP alliance government will be formed in the coming days," Shah told reporters following a formal meeting with Mufti.

Shah said a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed will take place in a few days, before the government formation is announced. Sayeed is likely to become the new chief minister.

It is the first time that the right-wing Hindu nationalist BJP will govern the Muslim majority region.

PDP, a regional party, emerged as the largest after the recent local elections.

"The two parties have fortunately arrived at a consensus on crucial issues," Mufti said, without elaborating the details.

Indian-controlled Kashmir is currently under India's direct rule with Governor N N Vohra running the day-to-day affairs.

Election results in the region held in December last year threw a fractured verdict, with no party winning majority in the restive region.

PDP became the largest party with 28 seats, followed by BJP with 25 and the National Conference 15. The Congress party and independents won 12 and seven seats respectively.

Indian-controlled Kashmir is a Muslim majority region with a 87- seat assembly. The BJP and PDP together have 53 seats. Endi