SRINAGAR: A day after he submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, senior People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beigh on Monday called on former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed giving rise to speculation about a rapprochement between the two.

Cordial meeting

Sources said that Mr. Beigh had an hour-long meeting with the Mufti during which he tried to clarify his position on the issue of re-allocation of portfolios. Mr. Beigh is believed to have told him that there was a misunderstanding and his objective was not to undermine him or cause harm to the party. The meeting was cordial, sources said.

Sources said that after PDP rebel leader Ghulam Hassan Mir's suspension was revoked new alignments within the PDP are likely. The Mufti, however, has not come to terms with Mr. Mir's outbursts last November when he blamed him and his daughter for the killing of former Education Minister Ghulam Nabi Lone. The PDP leadership is not inclined to have the post of Deputy Chief Minister as it not only leads to lobbying in the party but also weakens the Mufti's grip over the government.

Others in the race

Even as senior minister Abdul Aziz Zargar has been elected as leader of the PDP legislature party in the Assembly the names of two other ministers Tariq Hamid Qarra and Dillawar Mir are also making the rounds, but PDP president Mehbooba Mufti indicated that the party may not opt for the post of Deputy Chief Minister.

After Mr. Beigh's resignation is accepted, the portfolios of Finance, Planning, Law and Parliamentary Affairs will go to Mr. Qarra. Housing, Urban Development and Tourism being held by Mr. Qarra may be taken over by the Chief Minister himself till new inductions takes place. Sources ruled out re-induction of Ghulam Hassan Mir in the PDP.

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