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| Omar likely to drop ‘underperformers’ | | Cabinet expansion murmur | | Syed Junaid Hashmi
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 2: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is likely to reshuffle portfolios of certain ‘underperforming ministers’ as well as replace some of them with new and experienced faces.
Sources said that the move comes in the wake of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s meeting with UPA Chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi a few days ago at New Delhi. They added that Omar briefed Sonia about the performance of ministers from both NC and Congress. Sources disclosed that Chief Minister did not mince words while informing Sonia especially about the poor performance of some of the ministers belonging to Congress party.
Sources said that Sonia Gandhi assured Omar of her support and also assented to his request for showing door to the underperforming ministers and inducting fresh faces in the cabinet. They maintained that UPA chairperson complimented Omar for handling the BJP’s Ekta Yatra with both wisdom and intellect.
Sources close to the Chief Minister further said that the cabinet expansion and reshuffle are likely to take place after the budget session is over. They added that expansion is likely to be done keeping in view unrepresented districts and senior legislators of both the parties who were left high and dry when Omar choose his cabinet on two earlier occasions.
Sources further said that while NC is likely to give representation to Kishtwar, Kupwara and Doda districts, congress would primarily focus on addressing dissent within the party and accommodating leaders from both Soz and Azad camp. They disclosed that equal number of underperforming congress and NC ministers are likely to be shown the door during the expansion.
Sources maintained that NC would have to think twice while making choice for inducting new faces and dropping the ones who are part of Omar’s cabinet. They added that while senior leaders of NC are expecting induction, those serving have already begun saying “if removed, we would seek reasons for the same. We are performing to the best of our abilities.”
An NC leader when asked said “Change is law is nature. Underperformers impact working of coalition government and hence, have to be shown the door. This should not be an issue. Omar Sahab knows best who is doing what. We expect the change to take place at the earliest.” He choose not to talk about congress ministers while saying that all decisions in congress are taken by the high command at New Delhi. “They have no choice but to obey,” the leader stressed.
Sources further said that similar is the case with congress. “How can you drop a minister who may not be performing that but represents a powerful particular section of the society? It would be political victimization and hence, intolerable. By questioning a minister’s performance, you doubt developmental claims of the coalition government,” said a senior congress leader.
He added that expansion should be to induct new faces but not at the cost of those who have been serving the state since the last three years. “We would oppose it tooth and nail. Political victimization is intolerable. We are going to meet Madam Sonia Gandhi and apprise her of the actual position vis-à-vis functioning of the coalition government. We won’t accept unilateral and dictorial decisions,” said another senior congress leader.
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NC working committee to meet on Feb 15
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 2: National Conference central working committee will meet on February 15 at party headquarters Sher-i-Kashmir Bhawan Jammu at 11 am.
According to party spokesman, meeting will be held under the chairmanship of party president, Dr. Farooq Abdullah. Among others, t will be attended by chief minister Omar Abdullah. General Secretary, Sheikh Nazir Ahmad has directed all the members of working committee to participate in the meeting. |
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