Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is grappling with turmoil in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after two ministers resigned following a Cabinet reshuffle.
Syed Basharat Bukhari, a three-time MLA from north Kashmir's Sangrama constituency, resigned immediately after Ms. Mufti moved him to the Horticulture Ministry from his earlier portfolio as Minister for State for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation. Mr. Bukhari termed the new assignment as “hurting his self-esteem”.
According to sources close to Mr Bukhari, who had written to the Chief Minister three weeks ago over sensitive issues pertaining to State land, the PDP leader had developed differences with Ms. Mufti.
In his resignation letter on Friday, Mr. Bukhari has referred to the earlier communication and expressed his displeasure for “being sidelined for his stand on the issues”.
Another PDP minister Imran Reza Ansari also resigned, with sources saying he was unhappy with the portfolio of Information Technology, Technical Education and Youth Services & Sports. PDP sources said Ms. Mufti was yet to forward the resignation letters to the Raj Bhawan.
“There are issues within every party. This too will be resolved. They (the resigned members) are party colleagues,” State Education Minister Altaf Bukhari told The Hindu .
PDP general secretary Sartaj Madni refused to comment on the issue saying, “The PDP is doing fine.”
Following Mr Bukhari’s resignation, Ms. Mufti hinted at keeping the horticulture portfolio to herself. Speaking at a function in Srinagar, she said, “This [horticulture] is a very important ministry and I am very serious at developing the State’s horticulture sector.”
Last year, PDP Member Parliament Tariq Hameed Karra, who represented Srinagar, resigned from the party after unrest in the Valley.
Sinha team calls for talks to resolve J&K situation
A Delhi team, headed by former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, on Saturday called upon the government for an “immediate dialogue with stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir to resolve the political problem”.
Mr. Sinha-led team, which visited the Valley during the summer uprising in 2016, has expressed “deep concerns over the deteriorating situation in the Kashmir valley”.
“The loss of lives in the recent incidents was unnecessary and avoidable. The issue of Jammu and Kashmir demands a political solution. This can be achieved only through talks with all the stakeholders,” a statement issued by the Delhi team said.
It expressed dismay at the “complete reluctance of those in authority to engage in a dialogue”.
The team was able to break the ice with separatists after they refused to meet the all-party delegation, headed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the first week of September, 2016. It has come up with two reports on Kashmir’s ground situation.
