Advertisement

NEW DELHI: Congress legislators and leaders in Jammu and Kashmir have demanded that the party take its turn to head the coalition government in accordance with an earlier agreement with the People's Democratic Party.

Several MLAs and some associate members had a meeting with AICC general secretary Ambika Soni, who is in charge of party affairs in the State. Pradesh Congress Committee chief Peerzada Mohammed Sayeed and Speaker Tara Chand met Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who continued her consultations as the deadline for the November 2 transfer of power neared.

Ms. Gandhi met Ministers Ghulam Ahmed Mir and Taj Mohiuddin, who briefed her on the earthquake relief work being carried out by the Mufti Government. Ms. Gandhi is due to visit the quake-hit areas shortly to see the rehabilitation work.

Referring to the demand of the party legislators, Ms. Soni said there was nothing wrong in the MLAs wanting the Congress to lead the Government. "It is a natural reaction but all of them have also said that they would abide by the decision that would be taken by the Congress president,'' she added.

Although the party had asked the PCC chief, the Speaker and Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma to come to Delhi for consultations, some MLAs and associate members have come on their own and are lobbying for a change with the senior party leaders.

Congress sources said reports attributed to the associate members that they would dissociate from the party if the Congress allowed Mufti Mohammed Sayeed to continue as Chief Minister were not correct. These MLAs made no such reference during their discussion with the Central leadership.

Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party chairman Bhim Singh demanded that the Congress convene a meeting of the coordination committee of the constituents of the coalition to decide on the next Chief Minister. The party asserted that under no condition would it accept the status quo.

Mr. Singh said the next Chief Minister should be from Jammu, be a member of the State Legislature and one acceptable to all coalition partners.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail