CM submits resignation
After celebrating historic victory in the J&K Assembly polls, newly elected BJP legislators are scheduled to meet in Jammu on Thursday to elect a leader of the legislature Party in the presence of Central party observers.
The Parliamentary Board, the highest decision-making body of the party, on Wednesday appointed senior party leaders Arun Jaitley and Arun Singh to attend the crucial meeting. Indications are that after ascertaining the views of the elected representatives the Central party observers would supervise the election of leader of the legislature Party.
Names of MoS, PMO Jitendra Singh and Nirmal Singh are doing the rounds in the corridors of power but the final announcement is expected only after the meeting on Thursday. In his election speeches in Jammu, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had appreciated Singh's work in the PMO and his performance as an MP in the loK Sabha.
Meanwhile, outgoing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday arrived here to submit his resignation to the Governor NN Vohra. Omar remained closeted with the Governor for about half-an-hour after submitting his resignation.
Speaking to reporters outside the Raj Bhawan complex, Omar said the onus of the Government formation falls primarily on the PDP and the BJP -- the two big parties who have been given mandate by the people. He said, “We are quietly waiting to see what happens. I have submitted my resignation to the Governor and now I am waiting to see what other combinations emerge out of the mandate given by the people.”
On repeated enquiries about any parleys currently on with any political party in the State, Omar clarified, “It is not the responsibility of the National Conference to form the Government in the State nor is it in my interest to make life easy for other political parties.” He said, “After submitting my resignation I am heading to Delhi and from there I will be leaving for london to meet my parents who have recently underwent surgeries. I am keen on meeting my parents and looking forward to spend some time with them.