Azad tells Sonia coalition with PDP strong

Against the backdrop of strained relations with coalition partner PDP, J-K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today met Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Against the backdrop of strained relations with coalition partner PDP, J-K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today met Congress president Sonia Gandhi. He is believed to have assured her that despite certain differences, the alliance would not be affected.

The relation between the coalition partners has taken a hit since the PDP’s poor showing in the April Assembly polls. The PDP is alleging that the Congress backed rival candidates in the polls to ensure the defeat of its candidates. Sources said Azad told Gandhi that he would ensure the coalition did not suffer despite the hostile public posturing on either side.

During the meeting, Azad gave details of the recent roundtable on Kashmir and the formation of five working groups. While there has been a broad understanding on the formation of the groups, the issue of appropriate representation needs to be worked out — the question being who will represent the main political parties and the three regions of the state.

The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister brought up the issue of the the Rajya Sabha seat from the state that fell vacant after Azad moved to the state. There has been some heartburn on the issue among partymen with too many contenders aiming to get the party nomination for the seat. One of the names doing the rounds is of Nehru-Gandhi loyalist M L Fotedar. State Congress leader Mian Sharif is said to be another strong contender for the position.