Srinagar, Nov 22: Speculations are rife within the government and political circles about an impending Cabinet expansion in the Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP-BJP coalition.
Sources told The Kashmir monitor that the Chief Minister is weighing her options closely as her party faces elections for two crucial parliamentary seats of Srinagar and Anantnag, and the expansion and reshuffle would happen keeping in mind the polls.
Sources add that senior PDP leader and MLA Amira Kadal, Altaf Bukhari would possibly make a comeback as a Cabinet Minister.
“Altaf himself is keen on R&B but is being offered Tourism Ministry,” said sources.
“There is no doubt that Altaf was the most visible Minister of the Mufti era. Veeri is a good man but perhaps not strong enough as an R&B Minister. But Veeri enjoys the Chief Minister’s trust,” a PDP insider told Kashmir Monitor.
Many believe, Altaf Bukhari could play a key role if PDP was serious about winning back the Srinagar parliamentary seat.
“There is no doubt that Tariq Karra was a great organiser. In his absence, we need skills of management in Srinagar. Altaf can do that,” the same source said.
Keenly watching the developments would be MLA Chadoora Javed Mustafa Mir. Javed like Altaf was dropped by Mehbooba when she took over as the Chief Minister. While Altaf’s re induction has been doing the rounds for some time, there has been no word on Javed.
Javed, a third time MLA is one of the senior most PDP legislators. His being dropped by Mehbooba has raised many eyebrows and whispers are rife that National Conference would only be too glad to welcome him in case he parted ways with the PDP. Javed’s supporters too will play a key role in fate of Srinagar parliamentary seat as they are likely to support or oppose on Javed’s instructions rather than PDP whip.
Prominent Shia cleric and Youth Services and Sports Minister, Imran Ansari too is believed to be lobbying for an elevation. Imran was never too thrilled about his Ministry and wanted a meatier department considering his status as a Shia leader with mass following.
Also trying very hard for junior Ministerial berths are Khurshid Alam and Noor Mohammad. MLA Sonawar, Ashraf Mir though it seems continues to be out in the cold.
Minister for Social Welfare Sajjad Lone too is trying hard for department of his choice. Sources say when Lone met Prime Minister Modi along with state BJP leaders, he asked the PM to give him a ‘chance’, hinting at him wanting a more relevant Ministry like Urban Development, Power or Industries. Sajjad also recently attended the India Foundation Conclave in Goa and also spoke there. India Foundation is run by Ram Madhav and Shaurya Doval, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s son.
Interestingly, Sajjad had only expressed his displeasure at being given the Social Welfare Ministry and had even resigned from Mehbooba’s cabinet initially. In the previous Mufti Mohammed Sayeed government, Lone was allocated Animal Husbandry portfolio over which he had resigned then as well but was persuaded not to press for it.
Finally, hanging on thin ice once again is Chaudhary Lal Singh who continues to rub both BJP and PDP the wrong way. Lal Singh’s belligerence towards Mufti Sayeed has not been forgotten by many in PDP. The BJP too hates him equally and considers him an outsider. Many within the Forest department too refuse to see the funny side in Lal Singh’s antics of making officers climb mountains or appear in jogging sessions.
This story was first published in The Kashmir Monitor