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Onkar Singh in New Delhi
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who will be sworn in as the new chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir by Governor Girish Chander Saxena on Saturday, has decided to retain the key portfolio of home ministry.
A close aide of the chief minister designate told rediff.com that Congress leader Mangat Ram Sharma, who is likely to be sworn in as deputy chief minister, would be given the charge of power and rural development ministries.
"This should keep the Congress party in good humour," the source said.
Mufti, who would be leading a coalition government of the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party, Congress party, People's Democratic Forum and the Jammu and Kashmir National Panther's Party, wants to keep the home ministry to get 'key decisions implemented without delay'.
He is also likely to allocate the finance ministry to his own party nominee Muzaffar Hussain Baig, the source said. Baig would also look after the planning and programme implementation ministry, he added.
PDP sources said 15 Cabinet ministers, including the deputy chief minister, would be sworn in along with Sayeed.
"We would like to have Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami in the Cabinet. Baig has been entrusted with the task of sounding the probable ministers. Ghulam Mohiuddin Sofi, who broke away from People's Conference, is likely to find a place in the Cabinet," a top PDP leader said.
The new assembly is likely to hold its first session on November 18 to seek a vote of confidence.
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