Even if the dates for oath ceremony of Mehbooba Mufti and her cabinet are still being worked out, the jubilation has began soon after her arrival in Srinagar on Sunday, with party MLAs and cadres approaching Gupkar to greet the CM designate. The party President who is to make history by taking oath as the first woman Chief Minister of the state, arrived in Srinagar Sunday afternoon and is likely to stay back for some days before flying back to Jammu for oath ceremony anytime in the first week of next month. Sources in the PDP told KNS that Mehbooba while preferring a low key profile turned down the party request of a grand welcome at airport and said that any MLA who wants to meet her shall come to her Gupkar residence. Many MLAs wanted to organize a grand reception at Srinagar Airport which was not agreed to, by her.
Meanwhile sources maintained that the mood in party is upbeat and the unit looks more composed and rejuvenated ever than before. Many party leaders are of the opinion that returning of ‘unhappy’ Tariq Hameed Kara to the main Chorum of party has induced confidence among a large chunk of party MLAs and workers. Many leaders including former ministers and sting MLAs and MLCs who are not authorized to speak told KNS that returning of Kara in the main party activities has united the party and induced a huge amount of enthusiasm among party workers. “Though I am not authorized to speak, but yes, Kara’s return has helped us to consolidate and emerge as a single and strong Unit.” a senior party leader who was minster in the Mufti Mohammad Syed led government told KNS.Another senior leader of the party told KNS that the ‘old guard’ within party was overwhelmingly feeling comfortable by Kara’s return to the camp and added that his (Karra’s) involvement in the party affairs would not only strengthen the party fold but also serve as a bridge between the old and new generational leaders in the party.
While referring to the Mehbooba Mufti’s speech in the legislative meet, a senior party leader said that the president acknowledged the stand Kara had taken viz a viz taking the old guard leaders along which itself was vindication of his stand .A senior party worker from Srinagar Nisar Ahmad Mandoo appreciated Party President Mehbooba Mufti for bringing the flock together and said the party cadres now feel rejuvenated and upbeat. He said that Kara’s ‘disinterest’ in party affairs from last many months had ‘alienated’ workers in the summer capital but now, when he is back, they have began to feel rejuvenated . He added that the Parliamentarian’s return would bridge the ‘gap’ between the party and workers and would help in the redressal of grievances both in the administration and party forum. The party workers appreciated Mehbooba mufti’s decision to form government and hoped the new government would bring peace and prosperity in the state.
Pertinently the Parliament member representing the all important Srinagar-Budgam Constituency in Lok Sabha Tariq Hamid Kara has been in the limelight ever since late mufti Mohmmad Syed forged alliance with BJP last march, for opposing the alliance. He even did not attend the coordination committee meeting once during the ten months tenure of Mufti Government. The firebrand leader who has served as Finance minster in the past has however, emerged as one of the front runners in supporting Party President Mehbooba Mufti in re-stitching alliance with BJP this time around. His open support to the idea of going along with BJP may have surprised many, but according to party sources, has at the same time helped party emerge as a strong and consolidated unit. (KNS)