Sonia calls Cong meet today on J&K switch, will talk to PM

Sonia Gandhi, who’s also toying with the idea of asking Mufti to continue for a few more months, has called a meeting tomorrow of senior Congress leaders associated with Kashmir, including CM contender Ghulam Nabi Azad, M L Fotedar, Karan Singh and Saifuddin Soz. She will also have have a detailed discussion with the Prime Minister before coming to a decision. Sayeed is also likely to meet the PM tomorrow.

At 10, Janpath today, a full review of the situation took place with Sayeed and Mehbooba giving a detailed briefing to Gandhi about developments in the state, the improvement in the security scenario and their perception of the advantages of letting a regional party continue in the saddle as a buffer. The PDP could afford to give a ‘‘healing touch’’ to the situation while the Congress, as a national party, could take a tougher line when necessary.

Though there is an agreement between the two parties which would make way for a Congress CM on November 2, there’s a view that the takeover by the Congress would be seen as rule from Delhi at a time when there is a change of mood in the Valley and a rare window of opportunity.

Mehbooba met Sonia Gandhi alone and this was followed by a meeting between Mufti and the Congress president. ‘‘It was a good meeting and we had an open discussion,’’ said Mufti later.

There were also indications that Mufti is reluctant to continue as a stop-gap CM. He would rather have the Congress make up its mind now.

While Ghulam Nabi Azad has been pushing for a change as per the coalition agreement, recent events in Kashmir have created a new situation which made the Congress leadership call the CM and the PDP chief.

It is possible, said sources, that Sonia Gandhi could request Mufti to continue for a few more months so that quake relief and rehabilitation take place without disruption. It will take anything from 4-6 weeks for a new CM to get a grip over the situation and quake-hit areas will soon be snowbound.

Earlier in the day, Mufti met Defence Minister Pranab Mukherji and Ahmed Patel, Political Secretary to the Congress President, after Gandhi had asked her colleagues to have a detailed discussion with the J&K CM. Mufti is believed to have apprised them of how the security situation had improved, the Hurriyat checked with the ‘‘healing touch’’ policy that he had put into place.

Ghulam Nabi Azad had raised the issue of the transition at the Core Group of the Congress last Friday. It’s learnt that Pranab Mukherji and Home Minister Shivraj Patil were for Azad taking over. The PM reportedly said little, except that the decision should be made soon. It has contributed to the delay in the Cabinet reshuffle he wants to undertake. If Azad, who holds two portfolios in the Union Cabinet, shifts to Srinagar, it will have a bearing on the reshuffle.

The J&K unit of the Congress would like a Congress leader to take over the reins of the state and Governor S K Sinha is also said to be in favour of a change.

The decision is not an easy one for Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh who will have to weigh the pros and cons of pressure from party leaders, apprehension in certain quarters about the security scenario and the larger interest of the state.

—(With Pradeep Kaushal)