Mufti Muhammad Sayeed clings to CM’s chair despite failing health
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, is unwell and was recently at the Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai for medical examination. But his condition is not precarious enough to necessitate the handing over of baton to his daughter Mehbooba Mufti, clarified party sources.
“Didn’t you see him speaking extempore for half an hour at the Independence Day (ceremonial) parade?…There is no truth in these rumours. All is well,” said Ms. Mufti when consulted about the rumours that he father was contemplating on making her the CM owing to his ill health.
BJP’s general secretary Ram Madhav Varanasi, one of the architects of the “Agenda for Alliance” between the PDP and the BJP in J&K, also ruled out possibility of replacing Mr. Mufti with his daughter as the Chief Minister of the State.
“There is no question of change of Chief Minister in J&K,” he told Greater Kashmir newspaper. He added, “When there is no question, how come BJP will know it? There is no problem and the government is functioning properly.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Mufti, the PDP MP from Anantnag, who was conspicuous by her virtual absence from J&K’s political scene since the PDP-BJP government took over on March 1, has suddenly become politically active again on her home turf. Ms Mufti, who would spend most of her time in Delhi, has begun once again begun actively participating in party meetings and rallies and visits PDP strongholds across the state, particularly Kashmir Valley, almost on daily basis. She also attended a recent meeting of the PDP-BJP coordination committee where she informed the members about the failing heath of Mr. Mufti.
In addition to the media, the local political circles are also buzz with the potential political fallout of Mr. Mufti’s failing health. Omar Abdullah, Former Chief Minister and working president of the Opposition National Conference, tweeted on Tuesday, “Rumours about Mufti Sb's ill health are rife. I hope they are wrong & pray to Allah for his long life & good health. Allah shifa bakshay (May Allah cure him)”.
Talks are also rampant that Mr. Mufti also wants to bring his senior party leader and MP from Baramulla, Muzaffar Hussein Baig, back from Delhi and make him minister in-charge of an important portfolio.
“These are all unfounded rumours. Nothing of the sort is happening,” clarified another senior leader of ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
