Amid suspense over government formation, late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s family has vacated the Chief Minister’s official bungalow in Jammu, the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir. According to rules, the official accommodation can be retained for one month after a person ceases to be the CM but the family did not wait for that time limit. Begum Gulshan, wife of the late leader, visited the bungalow at Wazarat Road in Jammu city on January 18, 11 days after Mufti’s demise, and took away all family belongings, PDP spokesman and former minister Naeem Akhtar said. “There is nothing political about it. This is a normal practice. It is the designated house of the CM. How can someone who is not a CM stay there,” he asked. The step assumes significance as Mufti’s daughter Mehbooba Mufti is expected to be the next CM. Even as the uncertainty continues, the PDP will hold two important high-level meetings in Srinagar and Jammu to take a final call on forming the government in alliance with the BJP. On Sunday, Mehbooba has invited all PDP legislators, provincial presidents, district presidents and zonal presidents of Kashmir province for a meeting in Srinagar. On Wednesday, she will meet legislators and office-bearers from Jammu. Sources said Mehbooba will be in a position to take a final call on the process of government formation only after these two meetings. (With PTI inputs)
