National Conference ‘CM-elect’ Omar makes ‘within a day or two’ claim, 4 Independents support alliance | India News – Times of India

SRINAGAR: National Conference’s Omar Abdullah will stake claim to form J&K’s first elected government since it became a Union Territory with 49 MLAs on board and a letter of support from Congress party president Farooq Abdullah said Thursday after a legislative party meeting endorsed the patriarch’s choice for CM.
“Omar will meet the lieutenant governor in a day or two,” Farooq said.
The announcement came amid speculation about the shape of the alliance, which includes CPM and at least four Independents who confirmed that they would support NC. The Congress, whose return of six of the 39 seats it contested has already weakened its position in the alliance, will elect its party chief to the legislature at a meeting scheduled for Friday.
Congress J&K chief Tariq Hameed Karra was in Delhi on the eve of the CLP meeting to consult the party leadership.
If NC has the required numbers to form the government without counting Congress’s six – it will need the support of another independent party to reach the magic number of 48 – the grand old party risks being reduced to a true non-entity in the power struggle.
Sources said NC’s first party meeting focused on unity, with the baggage of the past seemingly weighing on Omar. The deputy chief of the party, which won both Ganderbal and Budgam, is apparently being extra careful in keeping his flock together to avoid anything close to the defection of 11 MLAs in 1984 at Farooqs’ behest brother-in-law Ghulam Mohammad Shah. The siege inside led to Farooq losing the prime ministership to Ghulam Shah.
“All elected MLAs were reminded at Thursday’s meeting of the need to close ranks and remain focused on fulfilling the aspirations of the electorate that gave NC a majority,” a party functionary said.
The NC-Congress-CPM alliance’s combined number of 49 allayed doubts over the gubernatorial appointment of five members in the assembly, which could potentially influence who forms the government. These members will have “full legislative powers and privileges.”
One of the five representatives will be present at all cabinet meetings.
NC, Congress and PDP had questioned the democratic propriety of the provision of having five nominated MLAs in the run-up to the elections, fearing that it would give the BJP an advantage if the electorate delivered a hung verdict.