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| Third may be year of Azad | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Nov 1 ]
Amidst a threat of pull out by the Peoples Democratic Party almost every alternate day, the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has been able to pull his government through for full two years but the game of politics blowing hot and cold continues.
While Azad's first year in office was an era of practical administration, the second year saw an almost daily struggle for stability of his government, the third year –if ever –promises him the much required leverage as the warring partner Peoples Democratic Party now seems to be falling from within.
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and his Mehbooba Mufti have not hidden their feelings that they are not happy being part of the Congress-led coalition government. But not everyone in their own party is in agreement with them. And of course the Congress wants to keep ruling till 2008.
'The PDP believes in rhetoric and cheap popularity. We supported them for three years in power and now it is their duty to support us,' said a senior Congress leader.
Azad has been keeping himself aloof from the storm in the coalition tea cup. He has been laying emphasis on development and progress while the PDP continues to re-assert its stand on emotional issues like withdrawal of security forces from civilian facilities and repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
What weakens Muftis from inside is the fact that two party heavy-weights Muzaffar Hussain Baig and Ghulam Hassan Mir, are not in favour of parting ways with the Congress. Both stayed away from the crucial PDP meeting recently where voices against continuation in the coalition were raised.
Political circles are also agog with rumours that the PDP wants Azad to be replaced by Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz.
However, many observers believe the Congress would like to go into the 2008 elections with Azad in the chair. Recalling Azad would be something the Congress cannot afford. It would send a signal of surrender before the PDP. Even if the Congress doesn't have high stakes in the valley, its interests in the Jammu region will not be served by Azad's recall. |
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