Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is all set to induct her younger brother Tassaduq Hussain Mufti into the Cabinet, The Indian Express reported on Monday.
The move is likely to further strengthen Mufti’s position in the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party. On December 2, she was elected the party’s president for the sixth consecutive time.
Though the chief minister is said to have made the decision after consulting the party, The Indian Express reported that some leaders were unhappy with this decision. At least two ministers said they were against this move when party leader Dilawar Mir brought it up during a recent meeting. The two were, however, overruled by the other ministers, legislators and party leaders.
Unidentified sources in the party told the Mumbai Mirror that Tassaduq Hussain Mufti
will be made the minister of tourism. The chief minister may also ask a relative to step down from a party post.
National Conference leader Sameer Kaul said it was a “blatant display” of dynasty politics in the state.
Tassaduq Hussain Mufti,the youngest of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s four children, stayed away from politics for most of his life. He returned to the state only after his father fell ill and has stayed back after Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s death in January 2016.
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