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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Friday hinted that his daughter and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti may step in his shoes as chief minister of the state. Mukhtar Ahmed/ Rediff.com report.
“She has been working tirelessly in the field and strengthening the party base. Consolidation of the party base is not because of me but because of Mehbooba,” Mufti told a media conference in winter capital Jammu.
This is the first authoritative confirmation of the rumours that are rife in the state that Mufti is soon passing on the mantle to his daughter.
There have also been rumours that the chief minister’s decision may be informed by his ill health.
“Mehbooba is a grassroots leader,” he said and added that ‘it was she who has been doing the party work'.
The chief minister said there was no option to dialogue with Pakistan.
“There is no option but reconciliation with Pakistan as prolonged confrontation with Islamabad adversely hampers development of the state. Talks with Pakistan are part of our agenda of the alliance. During former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s tenure, we had peace with Pakistan and tranquillity on the border. I am hopeful that we will be able to create similar atmosphere.”
Referring to dissidence in his party on PDP's alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party, Mufti said, “Dissent is the essence of democracy. Everybody has a right to express his/ her views.”
The chief minister termed the package of Rs 80,000 crore announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his November 7 rally in Srinagar as wholesome adding it will take care of equitable development of all the three regions of the state.
Reaffirming his resolve to provide relief to every victim of the colossal floods of 2014, Mufti said, “It will be for the first time when people will be provided monetary help for reconstruction of their damaged houses and for infrastructure as well as restoration of livelihood for traders and small time businessmen.”
“A comprehensive plan for protection of river Jhelum at a cost of Rs 1,100 crore is part of the development package besides Rs 2,000 crore that will be spent on restoration of the infrastructure damaged by the floods,” he said. The chief minister said for a fully damaged pucka house, an amount of Rs three lakh will be provided while Rs 1.5 lakh will be provided to a fully damaged kutcha house.