The government is considering appointing a political person as governor of Jammu and Kashmir. Sources disclosed that current J&K governor N.N. Vohra has sent feelers to the government for being released from the state due to some “personal problem”. His term, however, expires only in 2013.
Meanwhile, J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to apprise him of the existing situation in the Valley. Earlier on Monday, Union home minister P. Chidambaram also had a one-on-one meeting with the PM on the issue. Mr Abdullah also sought the PM’s intervention for making special arrangements for over 6,700 Haj pilgrims from the state in the absence of a direct flight to Mecca from Srinagar this year.
It was learnt that with Mr Vohra apparently keen to move out of the state, the government is trying to find a “political person” to replace him. Sources said there is a need for a political person as governor to “assist and advise” the “young CM”. It may be recalled that the neither the Centre nor the Congress were apparently satisfied with the performance of Mr Abdullah. However, the Congress leaders targeting Mr Abdullah fell quiet after AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi came out openly in his support.
The Centre will shortly announce the appointment of a group of interlocutors for J&K. Sources disclosed that on Monday the home minister discussed the issue with the PM.
The names doing the rounds for the group include Mr Prithviraj Chavan, believed to have been considered to head the team, while the others could consist of Mahmood-ur Rehman and Wajahat Habibullah. The chairman, who may be accorded Cabinet minister rank, is expected to be someone who enjoys the PM’s confidence, sources said. The move is being considered following the government’s recent peace initiatives in the Valley. Mr Abdullah is believed to have also discussed the Centre’s eight-point peace initiative with the PM.