(Image source from: BJP plus PDP Cabinet takes oath on Sunday})
After a long talks and assessments the two major parties PDP and BJP have mutually decided to take oath on Sunday. PDP chief Mufti Mohammad Sayeed will lead the coalition government and saffron party’s Nirmal Singh would be the Deputy Chief Minister.
The swearing-in ceremony of PDP patron and his cabinet is likely to take place at Jammu University’s Zorawar Auditorium. Mufti’s cabinet would include 12 ministers, 6 from PDP and rest from BJP. According to the media reports PDP’s Abdul Rehman Veeri, Naeem Akhtar, Altaf Bukhari, Haseeb Drabu, Zulfikar Choudhary and Abdul Haq will join the cabinet on Sunday.
The 79 year old Mufti, who is preparing for second time Chief Ministership, may meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday or Thursday before his swearing-in ceremony. The veteran leader had served as chief minister for 3 years during coalition government between the PDP and the Congress.
In 87 member Jammu and Kashmir assembly PDP has 28 members and the BJP is having 25 legislators. The prolonged discussions revolved around the key issues like Article 370 (granting special status to J&K), Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), and some portfolio talks.
We have to wait and see how ideologically contradicting groups will continue the 6 year long journey.
-Kannamsai
