By News Agency of Kashmir
Jammu : The recent resolution passed by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) deciding to continue its alliance with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is forcing the ruling alliance to sort out its differences so as to pave a way for a pre-poll alliance for the up-coming assembly elections.
Sources in the power corridors revealed that the senior leadership of Congress and PDP has decided to shun their hard postures so as to create atmosphere for a long lasting alliance. Most of the issues – which recently created fissures within the coalition – are being sorted out at the party level, they said.
If the sources have to be believed decks have been cleared for the much awaited cabinet reshuffle and it would be announced anytime, next week.
Sources told News Agency of Kashmir that PDP leadership was asked to forward its nomination for cabinet expansion on Friday. “As the party is to get only one more birth in the new cabinet, it has suggested name of former deputy chief minister and finance minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig”, sources said.
While PDP has given up its stand over the issue of Qazi Muhammad Afzal, sources said Congress has assured to respond positively. “If all goes well the prestigious forest portfolio is likely to be given to Dilawar Mir, and Qazi Muhammad Afzal would be `honoured’ with the portfolio of PHE”, a senior PDP leader told NAK, on the condition of anonymity.
Though the PDP has almost cleared the name of Baig as its nominee for the expansion, uncertainties prevail in Congress camp. “Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has kept all cards close to his chest.
However, sources added- the issue of Muhammad Rafi Mir, whose nomination as PDP MLC, was turned down by the by the governor was being discussed.
Sources close to Azad told NAK he was sincerely trying to sort out the differences within the coalition especially in the backdrop of recent resolution passed by AICC deciding to continue the present tie-up with the PDP.
The resolution passed at the recent AICC session observed that the Congress-PDP coalition in J&K has imparted a new momentum to development and governance in the state over past five years and, to a large extent, this has been the result of the keen personal interest the Congress president and the prime minister have taken to fulfil the aspirations of our brethren in J&K.
“The AICC believes that the conditions and concerns — inside and outside the state of Jammu and Kashmir — that prompted this coalition continue to remain relevant. The AICC calls upon progressive and nationalist forces to rally around the coalition”.
Sources said that the cabinet expansion would be first signal of smoothening coalition relations in the state.