While Sonia Gandhi [Images], chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance, continues consultations on the transfer of power in Jammu and Kashmir [Images], a powerful lobby of eminent persons is lobbying hard to see to it that Mufti is not disturbed and allowed to continue.

Newspaper offices and television organisations are being flooded with phone calls and emails in favour of Mufti.

Amongst those on whose behalf the email is being circulated include Asish Nandy, George Verghese, Air Commodore (Retired) Jasjit Singh, Madhu Kishwar, the editor of Manushi, and others.

In fact former Research and Analysis Wing chief A S Dulat wrote a special column in The Hindustan Times, giving his own analysis of the developments in Jammu and Kashmir and why Mufti should be allowed to continue.

Madhu Kishwar also wrote a similar column in another leading national daily on Monday.

"These are planted stories and Mrs Gandhi should take note of the manner in which some people are trying to cling on to power," said an embittered Congress leader.

• Mufti may get temporary extension

Ambika Soni, general secretary in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir, pretended she was not aware of the email. "Can I get a copy made of the document," she asked, when a television channel questioned her about it.

When contacted by rediff.com, Air Commodore Singh admitted that he was one of the signatories to the email.

"Please do not see this email as an attempt to lobby for Mufti. It is more important that a change in leadership does not hamper relief and rehabilitation work, which needs to be attended to first. Personally, it does not matter to me who the chief minister is," he said.

What if Mufti wants more then six months? "Then it would be sheer politics," Singh admitted.

Commodore (Retired) C Uday Bhaskar, refused to comment saying that if his name is on the email, he would promptly disassociate from it.

"I do not want to meddle in the politics of Kashmir," he said.

People's Democratic Party leaders denied that they had asked invididuals to drum up support for Mufti. "We are ready for transfer of power," they said.

More news: Jammu and Kashmir