SRINAGAR: At a time when prime minister Narendra Modi has been targeted by critics for not doing enough to rein in alleged hot heads within the BJP and the Sangh parivar, he has found support from a key ally. In an exclusive interview to TOI, J&K chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed has given Modi a clean chit and defended him, 'Modi is not a communal man, give him some time and I am sure he will act against the loose cannons within the BJP."

Sayeed's remarks come a week ahead of the prime minister's visit to the valley where he is expected to announce a package for the state, especially for the flood affected. "I have never demanded a package, but it has been worked on for the last six months," Sayeed said, without elaborating further.

The beef ban issue in J&K has in particular been seen as divisive with protests in the valley last week afternoon a trucker was killed during an agitation in Jammu by Hindu groups and the targeting of an independent MLA, Engineer Rashid in the state assembly and outside for organizing a beef part. But Sayeed refused to blame the prime minister or the BJP for it. "A ban on cow slaughter has been in force in J&K for decades, its not an issue here, " Mufti said.

Mufti rejected suggestions that the alliance could break on this issue. "Our alliance is very strong. I have no regrets about it, iot is the biggest opportunity in my 50 years of public life," Mufti told TOI.