Omar Abdullah to serve full term as CM

As Omar Abdullah celebrates three years in office on Thursday, Congress leaders are sulking as their clamour for rotational chief minister seems to have fallen on deaf ears with the National Conference leader all set to continue for full term of six years as head of the coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir. Unlike other states which have five year assembly term, J&K has a six years term.

“We have heard that decision has been taken (for Omar continuing as CM for full term). Given the current situation, the issue seems to have been closed and naturally (Omar will be the CM for six years)," said Ghulam Nabi Monga, senior vice-president of J&K Pradesh Congress Committee.

Local Congress leaders had launched a campaign last year clamouring for the rotational chief minister akin to the 2002 PDP-Congress model when both parties headed the government for three years each. PDP leader Mufti Mohammad Sayeed became the chief minister till 2005 and later Ghulam Nabi Azad headed the coalition till July 2008 before he resigned as PDP withdrew support over Amarnath land row.

“Workers keep on saying that there should be rotational chief minister. We can’t stop them from saying so. But in our party we abide by what our high command says. And therefore will go by that”, said Monga.

“Rotational chief minister is not an issue. This matter has already been settled by the Congress high command at the time of government formation. No leader in the Congress is bigger than Sonia Gandhi who had said Omar will continue as chief minister for full term," said Abdul Raheem Rather, senior National Conference leader and J&K finance minister.