Srinagar, October 30
Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is to take over as the next Chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, was unanimously elected as Leader of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) here today. This followed the decision of Congress high command to take the reins of the state government with its Chief Minister from the PDP as per the agreement between the two main coalition partners.

On the other hand, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) unanimously elected the Finance Minister, Mr Muzaffar Hussain Beigh, to hold the post of the Deputy Chief Minister in the new arrangement. His unanimous election was held at the residence of the outgoing Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and attended by its legislators. Mr Beigh told mediapersons later that the party was committed to the common minimum programme and the progress achieved so far would be taken forward with the support of all coalition parties, like in the outgoing term led by Mufti Sayeed.

Mr Azad’s election as CLP leader was held at the residence of the Deputy Chief Minister and a senior Congress leader, Mr Mangat Ram Sharma, soon after the Mr Azad’s arrival from the union capital here this morning. Senior Congress leaders, Mr Moti Lal Vohra and the AICC General Secretary, Mrs Ambika Soni, who announced the election, also attended the legislators’ meeting as observers of the Congress party. Congress MP, Rajya Sabha, from Jammu and Kashmir, Saifuddin Soz was also present.

The name of Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad was proposed by the Pradesh Congress Committee chief and Rural Development Minister, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, and seconded by the Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma. Other members belonging to both Houses of the State Legislature, seconded their support to Mr Azad.

The AICC General Secretary, Ms Ambika Soni, addressing the party leaders on the occasion, said that the decision for a Congress Chief Minister for the next three years had been made by the party President, Ms Sonia Gandhi. Ms Soni said that questions had been raised that whether the Congress could be in a position to take the challenge. She said that all leaders, including Ms Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Mufti Sayeed and PDP President, Ms Mehbooba Mufti, were keen on the peace process and healing touch. Much work had been done during the past three years with PDP Chief Minister, and now it was the Congress party’s responsibility to take it forward to a level of accomplishment.