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"Congress will not forgo turn to rule J&K"

Shujaat Bukhari

Mufti will stick to accord, says PDP As per the agreement, the Congress and the PDP agreed to take turns to hold the Chief Minister's post

SRINAGAR: Notwithstanding a directive from the central leadership not to raise the issue of Chief Ministership after Mufti Mohammad Sayeed completes his three-year term, Congress leaders continue to do so.

Reacting to recent media reports that the Mufti may continue as Chief Minister for another three years, Pradesh Congress chief Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed said the Congress would certainly head the Government after November this year. Though the Chief Minister and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) have made it clear that the agreement on power sharing between the two coalition partners will be implemented in "letter and spirit," Congress leaders continue to make comments.

"Mufti Saheb is a graceful leader and he will stick to his commitments," said a senior PDP leader. On Monday, it was the turn of Abdul Gani Vakil, senior PCC vice-president who dismissed suggestions that the Congress would forego its turn to rule the State. "Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad will be the next Chief Minister as per the power-sharing agreement," said Mr. Vakil addressing a public meeting in Baramulla. "The Congress will not surrender its turn to hold the Chief Minister's post and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed will step down at the end of his three-year tenure."

Mr. Vakil said the Congress high command had taken the decision in this regard and it was made clear during his meetings with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi that Mr. Azad will be the next Chief Minister.

As per the power-sharing agreement reached between the PDP and the Congress after the Assembly polls in 2002, the two parties agreed to take turns to hold the Chief Minister's post for three years each. Unlike other States, the tenure of the Kashmir Assembly is six years.

Stating that some people were spreading rumours that the Congress would surrender its claim and allow the PDP to continue for a full term, Mr. Vakil said the State needed a seasoned, experienced and competent Chief Minister and the Congress was in a position to provide such a leader.

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"Congress will not forgo turn to rule J&K"

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