The Lucknow effect in Srinagar: 12 MLAs get second thoughts

‘‘We have decided not to join the new government,’’ said Sofi, head of the People’s Democratic Forum — a group of seven legislators including two from the CPI(M). ‘‘We will offer issue-based support from the outside and have asked the bigger members (PDP and Congress) of the coalition to clear their stand before the vote of confidence,’’ Sofi said, hinting at the distribution of ministries and portfolios in the new government.

The other five Independent legislators are Dr Puran Singh, Abdul Majid Wani, Moulvi Abdul Rashid, Aijaz Ahmad and Thakur Munawar Lal. Sources said fissures developed after the PDP-Congress combine decided not to include any Independent in tomorrow’s formation of the cabinet, which is going to be very small. It would have seven members, including the Chief Minister — three each from the Congress and PDP and from the Panthers Party — and two Ministers of State, one each from Kargil and Leh.

Communist leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, however, said that they had no intention of causing any problems for the coalition.

Sources said that besides Mufti, the PDP’s representatives will be Muzzaffar Beigh and Ghulam Hassan Mir; those from the Congress include the deputy CM-designate Mangat Ram Sharma.

The Cabinet will hold its first meeting on Sunday morning in the Civil Secretariat here, followed by a press conference at which the chief minister will talk about his immediate plans to implement the Common Minimum Programme.

Reacting to the developments, NC president Omar Abdullah said that these were the pulls and pressures of a coalition government. ‘‘This is why the NC did not induldge in horse-trading to secure the support of Independents for government formation,’’ he said.

Several legislators have decided to boycott the swearing-in ceremony because they haven’t received the entry passes for the function. Labourers are racing against time to build a facade at Hotel Centaur, the venue for swearing-in.

A heavy security cover will be put in place to keep a watch over the ceremony, which is expected to be attended by Sonia Gandhi and other top digitaries. Farooq Abdullah and Omar will also attend the function.