Mehbooba Mufti Yet To Convene Legislature Party Meet in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar: Uncertainty continued over government formation in Jammu and Kashmir as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, who is tipped to be the next chief minister of the state, is yet to convene the Legislature Party meeting.

"The party president has not made any moves yet. As and when anything development takes places, we will let you know," said a senior PDP leader.

Ms Mufti, who resumed work as PDP president last evening at the end of four-day mourning period for her father and former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, has not yet called the Legislature party meeting.

"At the farewell function to the personal staff of Sayeed, the party legislators, who were also present, have thrown their weight behind the president on the future course of action. We are now waiting for her decision," the leader said.

Although BJP, the coalition partner of PDP in the government headed by Mr Sayeed, has not given in writing its support to Ms Mufti as the next chief minister yet, several party leaders including former deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh have expressed hope that the alliance with the regional party will continue for the rest of the term of the current assembly.

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The visit of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and other senior leaders to Ms Mufti's residence yesterday had fueled speculation that moves might be afoot for weaning the PDP away from BJP to form an alternative government.

The speculation was only fueled further by the visit of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to Ms Mufti's residence minutes after the Congress president left the PDP leader's residence.

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Congress has earlier shared power with PDP between 2002 and 2008, with both parties having their Chief Minister on rotational basis after three years. They later had a bitter split in 2008 following the Amarnath land row agitation.

PDP has already given a letter to Governor NN Vohra, saying that all its 27 legislators support Ms Mufti for the chief ministership. But Ms Mufti had reportedly said that she will not take oath till the end of mourning period for her father, which ended yesterday.

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Mr Vohra on Friday had asked both PDP and BJP to convey their position on the government formation. Since BJP did not convey its position, the Governor on Saturday imposed Governor's Rule in the state.