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| Coalition may not last full term | | Congress man to replace Omar after 2 yrs? | |
News Analysis
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, April 12: Last week's tussle between former Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Jammu Kashmir Congress chief, Saif-ud-Din Soz was not an ordinary confrontation. Both the leaders had their eyes on the Chief Ministerial berth which, as per a decision taken by the Congress Working Committee last month has to be occupied by a Congress man.
According to highly placed sources in the Congress party, the organization's all powerful Working Committee held an extra-ordinary meeting last month with its president Sonia Gandhi in chair. The decision making body, sources said, has decided to have a Congress man as Chief Minister of the state after two years when Omar Abdullah completes three years in office.
Omar Abdullah, as per the understanding reached between National Conference and Congress was supposed to hold office of the Chief Minister for full term. But, now the Congress has changed its mind and a new Chief Minister may assume office on January 5, 2013.
Both Azad and Soz staked their claims for the post of the Chief Minister when they were seen washing dirty linen on the streets of Srinagar last week. A group of Congress workers appeared in the Press Colony at Residency Road and raised slogans against Soz. They demanded his immediate removal as Congress Chief. Next day, Soz managed a good show at the same place. His supporters expressed confidence in his leadership. "The persons who raised slogans against Soz previous day were hooligans and shall be handed over to the police soon", they told the media persons.
A day later Azad arrived in Srinagar to a rousing reception from his supporters. While addressing them, he promised an active role in affairs of the state Congress much to the annoyance of Soz. Next day both the leaders were seen in Royal Springs Golf Course. According to eyewitnesses, Soz arrived when Azad was playing golf. He ignored Soz and conveyed a ‘strong message’ to him by giving his stick a `good look'. The two leaders did not even greet each other.
However, Azad suddenly `surrendered'. Before leaving for Delhi he said he had nothing to do with State politics. Azad's statement must have soothed the strained Soz but if the body language of Azad's supporters is any indicator then it is quite safe to presume that something is being cooked.
National Conference, according to insiders is aware of the Congress Working Committee decision. A scribe preferring anonymity has apprised Chief Minister's close aide of the development. The Congress decision is expected to have serious bearing on the coalition government. However, there is a lot of time left still. What happens in the coming days remains to be seen.
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