With the National Conference-Congress alliance government in Jammu and Kashmir slated to be sworn in on January Five, Chief Minister-designate Omar Abdullah, while thanking Congress President Sonia Gandhi, ruled out the rotation of the post while adding that his deputy would come from the Congress.
Omar announced the decision while showering praise and gratitude on Sonia Gandhi for understanding the ramifications of a rotational arrangement for the post while adding that the alliance was free of any pre-conditions.
"The rotation issue did come up during the discussion but Congress President Sonia Gandhi was kind enough to understand the point of view that rotation was damaging to the state and created uncertainty and confusion," Omar was quoted as saying.
The previous Congress-PDP government in the state had a provision for the rotation of Chief Ministers.
Omar who was in New Delhi here to phrase the fine print of the alliance in consultation with the Congress leadership said, "The Deputy Chief Minister will be from Congress."
Refusing to speculate over the name of his deputy, Omar said: "It is purely an internal matter of the Congress... and I hope that person takes oath along with me." On the strength of his cabinet, Omar said "About two leaders from my party and if Congress finds it appropriate their two ministers and deputy chief ministers will also take oath with us".
He refused to divulge any information on the portfolios the ministers woul hold by simply saying the matter was yet to be decided.
With Omar at the helm of the state, the NC is soon expected to join the UPA, the decision may well turn out to be a longevity insurance for the alliance government.
Congress insiders say Omar had written to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi expressing intent to join the UPA. The NC has two members in the Lok Sabha.
The meeting was in continuation of yesterday's 90-minute talks among leaders from NC and Congress in the capital to decide on a joint mechanism to review the performance of the government.
Omar said it was a routine meeting before the government formation to discuss core issues on which this coalition was formed.
The meeting at the South Block was attended by Union Ministers AK Antony, Saifuddin Soz, former J&K CM Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress in-charge for J&K affairs Prithviraj Chavan and Congress President's political secretary Ahmad Patel.
The NC was represented by Omar and his senior party colleagues.
Omar announced the decision while showering praise and gratitude on Sonia Gandhi for understanding the ramifications of a rotational arrangement for the post while adding that the alliance was free of any pre-conditions.
"The rotation issue did come up during the discussion but Congress President Sonia Gandhi was kind enough to understand the point of view that rotation was damaging to the state and created uncertainty and confusion," Omar was quoted as saying.
The previous Congress-PDP government in the state had a provision for the rotation of Chief Ministers.
Omar who was in New Delhi here to phrase the fine print of the alliance in consultation with the Congress leadership said, "The Deputy Chief Minister will be from Congress."
Refusing to speculate over the name of his deputy, Omar said: "It is purely an internal matter of the Congress... and I hope that person takes oath along with me." On the strength of his cabinet, Omar said "About two leaders from my party and if Congress finds it appropriate their two ministers and deputy chief ministers will also take oath with us".
He refused to divulge any information on the portfolios the ministers woul hold by simply saying the matter was yet to be decided.
With Omar at the helm of the state, the NC is soon expected to join the UPA, the decision may well turn out to be a longevity insurance for the alliance government.
Congress insiders say Omar had written to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi expressing intent to join the UPA. The NC has two members in the Lok Sabha.
The meeting was in continuation of yesterday's 90-minute talks among leaders from NC and Congress in the capital to decide on a joint mechanism to review the performance of the government.
Omar said it was a routine meeting before the government formation to discuss core issues on which this coalition was formed.
The meeting at the South Block was attended by Union Ministers AK Antony, Saifuddin Soz, former J&K CM Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress in-charge for J&K affairs Prithviraj Chavan and Congress President's political secretary Ahmad Patel.
The NC was represented by Omar and his senior party colleagues.
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