news details |
|
|
| Ahead of coronation, all roads lead to Mehbooba's Srinagar residence | | | Hyder Ali
Early Times Report
srinagar, Apr 2: As the new Government is scheduled to be sworn-in on April 4, the Fairview residence of Chief Minister-designate Mehbooba Mufti here has become a center of attraction, where the "who's who" of Kashmir, keep pouring in.
Unlike the past three months of almost-deserted look, dozens of cars are seen parked on the fashionable Gupkar, outside her villa in the heels of Zaberwan hills. Since the wee hours, beeline of people keep trying their luck to meet the would-be first woman Chief Minister of J&K, ahead of her coronation.
While some come to greet or to share their views about expectations from the Government, others have been strategically lobbying over distribution of the Ministerial portfolios.
While the Peoples Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janta Party have already hinted at retaining the portfolios in line with the first innings, there are chances of internal reshuffle, or dropping down of some faces. This means that even though the portfolios will be the same for the twin parties, faces may not be.
Sources said the business community of Kashmir is pushing hard to get Home, Tourism, Finance, Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Education and Revenue Ministers of their choice.
Sources said the Cabinet Ministers of the previous Government who fear to face axe this time have been literally begging before the "well meaning voices" to plead their case before Mehbooba.
"Basically the ex Ministers who are guilty of poor performance in the first innings are shy of pleading their case before her (Mehbooba) who has been an iron-woman and thus have been lobbying in the civil society and the business circles that they be retained for another chance," the sources said, adding such voices are trying hard to meet their goals.
Besides, people linked with the trade unions are also busy to "take care of their interests." "We do not want an Education Minister who will push the teaching community to spend days protesting on streets than be in the classrooms. We want someone who really works for the benefit of the society," a group of educationists told Early Times before making their way into the Fairview.
A prominent businessman who had visited the place told this newspaper that there was nothing political about his visit but that it was a courtesy call. But insiders said he was lobbying to spare his "friend", a former Minister from being stripped of the vital portfolio.
While some of the well-meaning voices want to plead the case of failures, some others are appreciating the good work which includes "historic 1400 kilometer of quality macadamization undertaken last year in Kashmir, growth of tourism sector under the patronage of visionary Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who was fond of tourism promotion." Equally some hail the performance of the Revenue Ministry which wanted to make the land officials accountable.
But while Kashmir is busy with lobbying over portfolios, Jammu is comparatively lifeless on this front. "Basically the first innings of the BJP has been unimpressive so people think it is waste of time to meet them or apprise the party leadership about public aspirations," said a Jammu-based businessman.
Otherwise also, he said, it was most likely that the BJP leadership in New Delhi would decide on portfolios and impose it on the State chapter. "State BJP has no role in JK politics, and only work as per directives from the national leadership," he added.
On March 31, PDP's trusted lieutenant, Prof Amitabh Mattoo broke the suspense over date of Government formation, announcing on his social media account that the new dispensation would be sworn-in on Monday. Till then, the two parties had been mysteriously silent over the Mahurat for commencement of the second innings. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
