Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 4: Not satisfied with the allocation of portfolios, two Cabinet Ministers in Mufti Mohammed Sayeed led coalition Government did not assume the office in protest today.
According to sources, People’s Conference (PC) leader and first time MLA from Handwara, Assembly segment of North Kashmir Sajjad Gani Lone who was given the portfolio as Minister of Science & Technology and Animal Husbandry did not join his office in protest today and returned to Srinagar in the morning flight from here.
Sources said Mr Lone also did not accept the official car which came to receive him at Srinagar Airport and drove in a private car to his Rawalpora residence in Capital City. Mr Lone has switched off his phone and no contact could be maintained with him on phone by any one, sources added.
Sources said, Mr Lone was not satisfied with the Ministry given to him and feels totally betrayed. Lone, who took a bold initiative by joining the national mainstream to set an example for other separatist leaders in the Valley is totally annoyed over the treatment given to him.
When contacted, BJP national general secretary and incharge J&K, Ram Madhav refused to comment on the issue. It may be recalled that Mr Lone is a Minister from BJP quota as his Party is a pre poll ally of BJP.
Likewise senior PDP leader and four, times MLA from Bijbehara Assembly segment, Abdul Rehman Veeri who was given the portfolio of Horticulture and Haj & Auqaf also did not assume his office today. Veeri who represents the home Constituency of both Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, has also shown his displeasure as he was not given the portfolio of his choice.
Hundreds of supporters of Mr Veeri and PDP activists from his Bijbehara Constituency also reached here to take up the issue with Chief Minister, Mufti Mohamed Sayeed and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and appealed them to provide a suitable Ministry to PDP leader in view of his role and services to the people.
Sources said first time MLA Imran Raza Ansari who was given the portfolio of Information Technology, Technical Education and Youth Services and Sports is not also satisfied with his portfolio and has conveyed the same to Party president Mehbooba Mufti.
However PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Minister and MLA Marh Ch Sukhnandan who also did not assume office today will do it on Friday after Holi festival.
The Minister of State for Finance and Information Technology, Pawan Gupta will also assume office after March 9.
Likewise MoS Revenue and PWD Sunil Sharma and MoS Education, Information and Culture, Priya Sethi will also assume office on Monday after Holi.
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