Congress-Omar tussle in Jammu and Kashmir?

Srinagar: Is Jammu and Kashmir heading for political instability? Omar Abdullah, who reaches the halfway mark of his tenure next year has clearly said he will finish his full 6 year term - which was the agreement with the central leadership - but in recent days some Congress leaders have started singing a different tune.

Congress workers have been demanding rotation of Chief Minister's post in Jammu and Kashmir.

Just as the youngest Chief minister of India is about to complete three years in office - by the end of this year - the local Congress cadre has started making noises demanding the top job for the rest of the term.

Senior congress leaders have assured workers that the Congress' interests would not be compromised.

"I can assure that I will convey your sentiment and my assessment to Sonia Gandhi," said Dr Karan Singh, senior Congress leader.

"We are equal partners. We don't want to work as B team," said Ghulam Nabi Monga, Vice President J&K State Congress.

Even though the Chief Minister has said he will stay the full course, it hasn't stopped the local Congressmen from raking up the issue every once in a while.

Added to this, there are newspaper reports that the Centre has asked him to devolve power to panchayats, even though he himself has supported the idea publicly.

Not surprisingly, he tweeted half-seriously.

"When will Delhi learn not to talk to me via newspapers?"  

Although it is believed that Mr Abdullah has a strong backing from the Congress High command - voices for rotational CM within the Congress have become shriller. The question is, will it shift Mr Abdullah's focus from  progress to Congress.