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The controversy between the two ruling coalition partners on Omar Abdullah's continuation as chief minister beyond three years was scotched by a senior ruling Congress minister.
In a statement, the state public health engineering minister, Taj Mohi-ud-Din on Monday said that 'the coalition government led by Omar Abdullah will continue its full term'.
After winning 2008 elections with 28 seats, the regional National Conference (NC) entered into a coalition agreement with the Congress party which had won 16 seats during those elections.
The UPA chairperson, who supervised the coalition agreement between the NC and Congress had stated that Omar Abdullah would remain the chief minister of the state for the entire six year term of the 87-member state legislative assembly which ends in 2014.
Mangat Ram Sharma, former deputy chief minister and senior Congress leader had ruffled feathers last week by demanding that the coalition partners should share the chief ministers post on a three year rotational basis as had been the coalition agreement between the Congress and Peoples Democratic Party after the 2002 state assembly polls.
Sharma's statement evoked criticism from the NC quarters prompting Monday's clarification by the Congress.
In the statement Taj Mohiuddin said that 'the decision has already been taken by the Congress high command in this regard and refuted any rumors being spread without any confirmation from the Congress high command.'