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| Baig regains lost ground today | | Suspense on who presents forthcoming budget? | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Dec 9: With no doubt left the return of Peoples Democratic Party's intellectual capital Muzaffar Hussain Baig to the cabinet Monday morning, the political circles are guessing about the scheme of things shaping up in the coming days.
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad finally decided to expand his council of ministers following a meeting with his predecessor and PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed at the latter's residence here last evening. The meeting which lasted for over an hour mellowed down the differences and cleared decks for the cabinet expansion. Mufti cleared the name of Muzaffar Baig for his induction in the cabinet.
In a quick succession, the Chief Minister discussed the matter with the Governor and subsequently the expansion has been fixed for Monday morning. Raj Bhawan sources told EARLY TIMES that the Governor will administer oath of office and secrecy to the new Ministers at Raj Bhawan lawns tomorrow at 10 AM.
After his swearing in as a Cabinet Minister, Baig will be designated as Deputy Chief Minister, said the sources. There is no post like the Deputy Chief Minister in the constitution and therefore the ceremonial designation is offered later.
Induction of Baig shortly ahead of the budget session has sparked off suspense as who will present the forthcoming budget. The session of legislature is beginning on January 7 and Budget had to be presented on January 14. The Finance Minister Tariq Hamid Qarra is currently preparing the budget.
It may be recalled that Baig had stepped down as Deputy Chief Minister last year after his party wanted him to be stripped off the important portfolios of Finance, Planning, Development, Law and Parliamentary Affairs. While Baig too was reluctant to part of his important portfolios but the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad ignored the PDP request thus sparking off a massive controversy. In this backdrop, the PDP asked for recall of Baig from the cabinet and he had to quit. Though Baig had announced his resignation on September 3 last year but he formally handed over his resignation latter to the Chief Minister on September 7. The departments held by Baig were thus allocated to Tariq Hamid Qarra who till then was a Minister for Forests, Housing and Urban Development.
Baig is likely to be given the departments of Forests, Housing and Urban Development. These departments were earlier with Qazi Mohammad Afzal of the Peoples Democratic Party but after his resignation, which has not been accepted, the charge of Forest department is with the Chief Minister and Housing and Urban Development departments are being looked into by Ajaz Ahmed Khan as Minister of State.
Political observers are of the opinion that if Baig insists for the departments of Finance and Planning this may create yet another internal row within the Peoples Democratic Party. |
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