HEADLINES POLL ARCHIVES FEEDBACK SEARCH REDIFF NEWSLINKS US EDITION NEWS DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ARCHIVES
There is discontent among a section of the newly elected Congress legislators in Jammu and Kashmir over their high command's decision to concede the post of chief minister to the People's Democratic Party.
Following a meeting of party legislators and some independents in Srinagar, Congress leader Taj Mohiuddin and Mohammed Shafi Bhat said the high command had "ignored" their desire by announcing the name of PDP chief Mufti Mohammed Sayeed for the post of chief minister.
He said there was no guarantee that Sayeed would not recommend dissolution of the assembly after completion of his three-year term under the power-sharing agreement between the Congress and PDP.
Besides, there had been no discussion on portfolios to be given to ministers from the two parties, Mohiuddin added.
"We had conveyed to all Congress observers who came here that Ghulam Nabi Azad was our chief ministerial candidate," he said.
When party leader Manmohan Singh came to Srinagar, Bhat said, "we had conveyed to him the repercussions of having Mufti Sayeed as chief minister. Still the chief ministership goes to him. I fail to understand what kind of decision the party has taken. I will take measures as and when required."
Mohiuddin said he did not contest the right of party president Sonia Gandhi, but the legislators should have been taken into confidence before taking such a decision.
"We have conveyed our sentiments to the Congress high command and are awaiting a response," he added.
Asked what he would do in case there was no response, he said, "We will cross the bridge once we reach there. As of now, I and my colleagues are protesting within the party's constitution."
An independent from Banihal constituency, Maulvi Abdul Rashid, refused to accept the decision of the Congress and said, "I will not support Sayeed, as he is responsible for several ills in the Kashmir valley."
"History will never spare him for the miseries he brought to the state during his tenure as Union home minister in the V P Singh government," he said.
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
