Jammu, Aug 30: Differences within the ruling coalition partners-the National Conference (NC) and the Congress-came to fore on Monday, when senior NC leader, Ajay Sadhotra, cautioned the Congress party against raking up the issue of rotation of the Chief Minister in Jammu and Kashmir after three years.
“It was Congress high command that had decided complete 6 years term for Omar Abdullah as the Chief Minister. There is no question of now appointing a Chief Minister on rotational basis,” Sadhotra told reporters here.
Sadhotra, a former minister and former Provincial president of NC, was reacting to the demand of former Deputy Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader, Mangat Ram Sharma vis-à-vis appointment of Chief Minister in the state on “three year rotation”.
Sadhitra suggested the Congress leadership to refrain from such statements.
“Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had entrusted the job of Chief Ministership to Omar Abdullah for six years, so the question of CM on rotational basis should not be raised,” he said, adding that the Congress leaders should avoid making ‘confusing statements’.
He said that the Congress leaders should rather extend support for development and restoration of peace in the state. “I appeal the Congress leaders for extending a helping hand to strengthen coalition government at this crucial juncture when the state is tackling proxy war being instigated from outside the country,” he maintained.
On being asked whether the state Congress leadership is disappointed with Chief Minister’s performance, Sadhotra said that if the Congress high command is satisfied with the performance of Omar Abdullah led coalition government then question of disappointment from state Congress leadership doesn’t arise.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST