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| Only 6 MLAs, 1 big demand: Cong wants Deputy CM’s chair, NC says no | | Kisa Kursi Ka! | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Oct 26: The long-awaited expansion and reshuffle of the Omar Abdullah-led government is set for Tuesday morning, but one thing is already clear. Coalition partner Congress is not going to be part of the new Council of Ministers.
Highly placed sources said the ruling National Conference (NC) had offered Congress a single ministerial berth. The offer has run into a wall. The Congress leadership is reportedly adamant that it wants the post of Deputy Chief Minister along with a ministerial berth, and nothing less.
The party is not speaking with one voice on this. Sources said one group within the Congress was ready to accept the lone berth and join the government. A rival faction is holding out for the Deputy Chief Minister’s post, even though the party has only six MLAs. The demand has widened the gap between the two partners just as the government prepares to expand its Cabinet.
The NC does not appear to be worried. The Assembly has 90 members, and the NC has 41 of them. Six Independent MLAs are supporting the government, which takes the ruling camp to 47, past the halfway mark of 46. The support of CPI(M) MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami adds another seat to the NC’s tally. With that cushion, the NC can govern comfortably without Congress, which weakens the party’s bargaining power and makes its insistence on the Deputy CM’s post look like a hard bet.
The Independent bloc is also friendly to the NC. Sources said five of the Independents are NC rebels who have since returned to supporting the party, which further strengthens its hand.
The shape of the Cabinet will be clear on Tuesday morning. For now, Congress has to decide whether to stay out of the government to press its demand, or accept the single berth on offer. |
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