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| J&K's crucial budget session begins Jan 8 | | Undefined number two in State Ministry raises questions | |
BL KAK
NEW DELHI, JAN 4
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad, is understood to have planned to introduce a few new changes in the conduct and operational mechanism of the two Houses of the State Legislature. Azad, who has had sufficient experience and expertise as the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs in New Delhi, seems keen on making available for the legislators and mediapersons some additional facilities.
A source close to Ghulam Nabi Azad told EARLY TIMES that the J&K Chief Minister "is eager to make the State's parliamentiary affairs department more professional and vibrant than before". The Chief Minister will, in the near future, unfold his new scheme to revitalise the department and provide additional facilities to mediapersons covering the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council.
Another important matter which has engaged the attention of Ghulam Nabi Azad, relates to "clear and final" definition of number two in the Council of Ministers he is heading in his capacity as Chief Minister. With less than four days left for the crucial budget session of the J&K Legislature to commence in the State's winter capital, Jammu, a question hotly debated is: Who will set next to Ghulam Nabi Azad in the Legislative Assembly?
Mangat Ram Sharma, in his capacity as Deputy Chief Minister, sat next to his Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. And after Ghulam Nabi Azad took over from the Mufti as the State's Chief Minister, Muzaffar Hussan Baig, took his seat in the House next to his Chief Minister (Azad).
The scenario underwent a change after Muzaffar Hussain Baig of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) was removed from the post of Deputy Chief Minister last August 31. Hence, the question: Who will sit next to Azad in the J&K Assembly when the budget sesion commences from Monday (Jan. 8)?
This is the first time that there is no defined number two in the Congress-led coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir ever since the exit of Muzzaffar Hussain Baig as Deputy Chief Minister. Minister for Agriculture, Abdul Aziz Zargar, was elected leader of the PDP Legislature party in the Assembly but he was not designated Deputy Chief Minister.
The PDP wrote to Ghulam Nabi Azad on Aug 31 that Zargar is the new Legislature party leader and that the name of Deputy Chief Minister would be intimated later.The PDP is yet to name the candidate, even four months after Muzaffar Hussain Baig's recall.
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