An emotionally charged Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed told his party colleagues on Wednesday that he would not compromise on his party’s agenda and vowed to complete the six-year-term with the coalition partner BJP despite “small hiccups” in governance.
The late evening meeting of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leaders including Ministers and legislators was summoned in the wake of controversy on High Court’s recent ban on sale and possession of beef in Jammu and Kashmir. The controversy has raised communal and regional passions. Chaired by Mufti at his Gupkar Road residence, the meeting discussed festering issues confronting the coalition Government in absence of party President Mehbooba Mufti who is currently leading the Indian Haj delegation in Saudi Arabia.
Mufti told his party leaders that they should not be panicked by “small hiccups” and must avoid overreactions. “Small hiccups do come in matters of governance. I do not believe in knee-jerk reactions”, Mufti was quoted as saying by a senior party leader. Talking to The Pioneer, the leader said that Mufti vowed to follow the PDP’s agenda of governance “without any compromise”. The leader said that Mufti was overwhelmed by emotions and asked his leaders to have patience. “The Chief Minister advised party leaders to work hard to achieve broader objectives”, he said.
Although there was no discussion on the beef controversy, the overtone of Mufti’s speech was and around this implications of the raging debate over the issue.
The controversy has erupted close on the heels of Eid-ul-Azha when Muslims offer sacrifices of animals including bovines.