SRINAGAR: After heading the Jammu and Kashmir coalition for three years, People's Democratic Party founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Saturday resigned as Chief Minister, paving the way for Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to take over. Mr. Sayeed met Governor S.K. Sinha and handed over his resignation. The Governor asked him to continue in office until his successor was sworn in.

Later Mr. Sayeed told reporters that the Congress decision to head the government for the next three years was neither a surprise, nor was he unhappy. But Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had second thoughts on the changeover. "In fact, they were happy with the performance of the government." That was why they were considering whether the change was desired. But they had to take into account the party's stakes in the State as well, the Mufti said. "I have been a Congressman and I know the compulsions."

Mr. Sayeed said he had made it clear six months ago that the 2000 agreement on sharing power would be implemented in letter and in spirit. "I have told them [Ms. Gandhi and Dr. Singh] that we will support the government as they did during our term". The PDP would extend full support to the coalition for the rest of the term.

On being informed by Ms. Gandhi, Mr. Azad and AICC general secretary Ambika Soni of the Congress decision, "I told them that the changeover should take place as early as possible as people want relief in the quake-hit areas. The whole coalition [the PDP, the Congress, the National Panthers Party and the CPI (M)] is together. God forbid, it has not broken down."

The PDP advanced from Monday to Sunday the meeting of its legislators to nominate the Deputy Chief Minister.

"We laid strong basis for peace"

Claiming that his government had laid a "strong basis" for peace and development, the Mufti said, "We laid the foundation for whatever there was in the common minimum programme and it is for new dispensation to carry it forward."

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