PDP allays Cong fears; assures backing

Allaying apprehensions that its ties with the Congress would get strained after the transfer of power to its coalition partner, the PDP today said it would extend "unflinching support" to the Ghulam Nabi Azad-led dispensation and focus on implementation of the CMP.

"Mufti saheb (Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed) has requested all of us (MLAs) to extend unflinching support to the new Chief Minister. He wants the coalition to succeed," senior PDP leader and Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister Muzaffar Baig said.

"He has advised us not to make issues out of small things but to focus on implementation of the CMP, which is the charter of the government," Baig said adding that the PDP will continue to play a positive role towards its implementation.

On the appointment of a new Deputy Chief Minister, Baig said it was not an issue for the PDP and added that it was for party president Mehbooba Mufti and Sayeed to decide.

"Whoever the party decides to make the Deputy CM will be the Deputy CM," he said. Baig said he was "personally surprised" at the Congress decision to take over the mantle of the government, as he felt the high command gave the impression that it was impressed with the performance of Sayeed government.

Jammu and Kashmir Congress Legislature Party (CLP) will meet in Srinagar on October 30 to formally elect Ghulam Nabi Azad as its leader.

AICC General Secretary Ambika Soni and party treasurer Motilal Vora would be the central observers at the meeting Soni said the swearing-in of the new Chief Minister would be held on November two in the evening at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Hall.

Azad has invited party chief Sonia Gandhi for the swearing-in ceremony being held a day after Diwali.

Party sources said Azad will hold talks with the outgoing Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and leaders of other alliance partners on the ministry formation in the light of suggestion by Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that it should be a small cohesive team. Meanwhile, the AICC today dismissed suggestions that the party took a long time in deciding on the issue of transfer of power.

Party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters that Gandhi believed in the widest possible consulation process and in the coalition dharma and took a decision after noting all arguments and counter-arguments.

"We are happy that a well-thought out decision taking all sections with it has been taken by the party which has an all-India character," Singhvi added.