An expectant air hung over the Muftis’ Nowgam residence since morning today as the crowds outside swelled by the hour. Greetings flew thick and fast in the well-manicured compound and groups huddled together holding forth animatedly on the kind of government that would take over.Supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were visibly jubilant to learn of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s ascendance to the CM’s post. Nowgam, seven km outside Srinagar, seemed to be destination royale for all and sundry.Haji Ghulam Mohammad came all the way from Nowgam by-pass from Aishmuqam, 82 km south of the city. At the Muftis’ residence, he was greeted by his namesake from Yaripora, Anantnag. They were later joined by Mufti fans, Abdul Karim Lone and Mohammad Yasin, from Sopore and Rafiabad villages of Baramulla.Within minutes, the foursome got busy discussing prospective faces in the PDP-Congress led coalition ministry. ‘‘We hope the coalition will draw a minister from every district so that all are represented well,’’ Karim said.But PDP general secretary Tariq Hamid Qarra would not even breathe a word about the composition of the government and portfolio distribution. ‘‘I cannot comment on the government composition or the ministries. It depends upon the CM and coalition partners,’’ he said.Elated PDP supporters plan to bring back back Mufti, his daughter Mehbooba and senior leader Muzaffar Hussain Beigh in a triumphant procession from the airport tomorrow.At Bijbehera, the Muftis’ hometown, the celebrations have peaked in anticipation of an end to the Valley’s woes. ‘‘People are happy that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is finally being rewarded after spending decades in political wilderness,’’ said government servant Bashir Ahmad.Elsewhere, the general feeling is that the change in guard will lessen the people’s problems. ‘‘The NC has failed on all fronts. Now let us see what this government will give us,’’ said college student Shakir Abbas.
