D-Day for J&K govt, Azad to prove his majority today

TESTING GROUND: The Ghulam Nabi Azad government in Jammu and Kashmir will prove its majority on Monday.

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Keywords: Majority, NN Vohra

Srinagar: While the dust over the Amarnath land row is yet to settle, the fate of the Ghulam Nabi Azad led congress government will be decided on Monday when it appears for the floor test.

The Ghulam Nabi Azad government in Jammu and Kashmir will prove its majority on Monday, days after its junior alliance partner, PDP, pulled out from the coalition.

“We will pass the test,” say Congress President Saif-uddin Soz and Ghulam Nabi Azad. “Why not 60, why 44 only,” adds Azad.

Azad, in a letter to Governor NN Vohra, had offered to prove his majority anytime on the floor of the house despite his government slipping into a minority following withdrawal of support of 18 MLAs on the issue of proposed transfer of land to board handling the Amarnath pilgrimage.

Vohra has asked Azad to prove his majority on or before July 7, an official spokesman said.

The state Congress Chief and Chief Minister seem confident that they will easily prove majority before Governor NN vohra in the state assembly.

Sources in the Congress say they have support of 38 members, 22 from their own party, 14 from independents and two from the CPM.

They also would be hoping that they are either helped by some friends in the opposition National conference or dissidents from the Peoples Democratic Party.

The PDP turned tables on Ghulam Nabi Azad recently by withdrawing from the coalition following the controversial land allotment to the Amarnath Shrine Board.

“The Chief Minister has said he will prove majority and he will,” says MLA Sangrama, Shoiab Lone.

Sources say some PDP rebels would boycott the session to help Azad, when the 87 members of the lower house votes.

Sources also say money is changing hands and those who aid the congress have been promised various projects but the PDP feels it is in control of its flock and Azad will fail to muster the numbers.

“I don't see the numbers for him,” says Muzaffar Hussain Beig.

Meanwhile, on the political chessboard of Kashmir, Azad will have to use his skills to the best of his abilities to come through and save his government.