J&K government’s talks with the Centre about retention of the Article were favourable and that PDP and BJP coalition partners are talking at every level, said state Law Minister.
SRINAGAR — Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has decided to send four of her ministers to New Delhi on Friday to garner support of the BJP top brass besides seeking legal support of the central government to favour her government’s stand in the Supreme Court on Article 35A.
“We are going to Delhi on 18th (August) to see what can be done to put up a strong case,” state Law Minister Abdul Haq Khan said. “We will meet people and seek further legal opinion.”
He said the J&K government’s talks with the Centre about retention of the Article were favourable and that PDP and BJP coalition partners are talking at every level.
Besides the Law Minister, his senior Cabinet colleagues – Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu, Horticulture Minister Syed Basharat Bukhari and Information, Food and Supplies Minister Choudhary Zulfikar will also be part of the group of ministers who would be flying to Delhi.
Drabu crafted the agenda of alliance with BJP at a time when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was negotiating the government formation with BJP top brass in 2015. He is seen as close to the BJP bigwigs , especially after he brought J&K under the Goods and Services Tax regime without any major hassle, the report said.
Bukhari is a former Law minister, while Choudhary is an influential Gujjar leader from Rajouri, and his presence in the group of ministers is said to be important.
Sources said Sangh Parivar outfits campaigning for removal of Article 35A have been trying to rope in the support of Gujjar Muslim population, especially in Pirpanchal region of Jammu, by promising that the Centre will provide Gujjars 14 per cent political reservation if they break away from the position of the Muslim majority in the state, the reports said.
c.timesofindia.indiatimes.com
