SRINAGAR: National Conference's Omar Abdullah will stake claim to form J&K's first elected govt since it became a Union territory with 49 MLAs on board and a letter of support from Congress , party president Farooq Abdullah said Thursday after a legislature party meeting endorsed the patriarch's choice of CM.
"Omar will meet the lieutenant governor in a day or two," Farooq said.
The announcement came amid speculation about the shape of the alliance, which includes CPM and at least four Independents who confirmed they would back NC. Congress, whose return of six seats out of the 39 it contested has already weakened its position in the alliance, is scheduled to elect its legislature party chief at a meeting scheduled for Friday.
Congress's J&K chief, Tariq Hameed Karra, was in Delhi on the eve of the CLP meeting to consult the party brass.
If NC has the requisite numbers to form the govt without counting Congress's six—it requires the support of another Independent to hit the magic figure of 48—the grand old party risks being reduced to a veritable non-entity in the power stakes.
Sources said NC's first legislature party meeting focused on unity, with the baggage of the past seemingly weighing on Omar. The party's deputy chief, who won both Ganderbal and Budgam, is apparently being extra careful about keeping his flock together to avoid anything remotely close to the 1984 defection of 11 MLAs at the behest of Farooq's brother-in-law Ghulam Mohammad Shah. The siege within led to Farooq losing the chief ministership to Ghulam Shah.
"All elected MLAs were reminded at Thursday's meeting about the need to close ranks and stay focused on fulfilling the aspirations of the electorate that gave NC a majority," said a party functionary.
The NC-Congress-CPM alliance's combined tally of 49 dispelled doubts about the gubernatorial nomination of five members to the assembly potentially influencing who forms the govt. These members will have "full legislative powers and privileges".
One of the five representatives will be present in all cabinet meetings.
NC, Congress and PDP had questioned the democratic propriety of the provision to have five nominated MLAs in the build-up to the election, fearing it would give BJP the advantage if the electorate delivered a hung verdict.
"Omar will meet the lieutenant governor in a day or two," Farooq said.
The announcement came amid speculation about the shape of the alliance, which includes CPM and at least four Independents who confirmed they would back NC. Congress, whose return of six seats out of the 39 it contested has already weakened its position in the alliance, is scheduled to elect its legislature party chief at a meeting scheduled for Friday.
Congress's J&K chief, Tariq Hameed Karra, was in Delhi on the eve of the CLP meeting to consult the party brass.
If NC has the requisite numbers to form the govt without counting Congress's six—it requires the support of another Independent to hit the magic figure of 48—the grand old party risks being reduced to a veritable non-entity in the power stakes.
Sources said NC's first legislature party meeting focused on unity, with the baggage of the past seemingly weighing on Omar. The party's deputy chief, who won both Ganderbal and Budgam, is apparently being extra careful about keeping his flock together to avoid anything remotely close to the 1984 defection of 11 MLAs at the behest of Farooq's brother-in-law Ghulam Mohammad Shah. The siege within led to Farooq losing the chief ministership to Ghulam Shah.
"All elected MLAs were reminded at Thursday's meeting about the need to close ranks and stay focused on fulfilling the aspirations of the electorate that gave NC a majority," said a party functionary.
The NC-Congress-CPM alliance's combined tally of 49 dispelled doubts about the gubernatorial nomination of five members to the assembly potentially influencing who forms the govt. These members will have "full legislative powers and privileges".
One of the five representatives will be present in all cabinet meetings.
NC, Congress and PDP had questioned the democratic propriety of the provision to have five nominated MLAs in the build-up to the election, fearing it would give BJP the advantage if the electorate delivered a hung verdict.
You may also like
Here in America review: An intellectually claustrophobic take on the McCarthy hearings
Ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp made Red Bull job decision 'in 2022' to grant dying wish
Hull KR legend Paul Harkin explains why he wants to finally get rid of unwanted tag
Inside two-year wait for Stephen King's Salem's Lot film release
