National confrence at back front

NC may see changes in top party cadres’

Reshuffle of senior ministers’ on cards

Sanam Aijaz

Srinagar, July 18: For the first time in the history of NC, the states’ major political party is expected to see some changes at top party cadres’ level. Also in a bid to further streamline the functioning of the state machinery, state government is likely to reshuffle some senior cabinet ministers’

It would be a landmark decision in itself since after decades the party top cadres would be chosen from outside the Sheikh dynasty.

It has been learnt from sources that on July 22, NC has called a meeting of working committee to take some important decisions. Patron NC Dr. Farooq Abdullah and general secretary Sheikh Nazir Ahmad may be relieved of their positions and it is likely that Abdul Rashid Shaheen former member parliament (MP) may be given a chance to be the general secretary and Chowdary Mohammad Ramzan or Abdul Rahim Rather may take over as party patron.

After his separate meetings with the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and union home minister P Chidambaram Omar arrived here last evening.

Sources said that state government is all set to relieve some senior ministers of their portfolios and chief minister may induct some new faces in the cabinet. Sources said that Delhi has given a green signal to Omar to go ahead with induction of new faces in the state cabinet. Also, the axe may fall on some ministers who have been found to be involved in corruption and embezzlement of the state exchequer. It may be recalled here that Omar had already indicated that some ministers involved in corruption would not be spared.

It may be mentioned here that taking the cognizance of the report published in local daily here, state governemnt has asked the vigilalnce commisioner to conduct a preliminary inquiry to ascertain the veracity of allegations and submit a report to the governement.