Amidst reshuffle speculations, Ram Madhav in Jammu today

TNN Bureau. Updated: 9/21/2017 11:00:49 AM Front Page

JAMMU: Amidst speculations of possible reshuffle in Mehbooba Mufti cabinet, mainly involving the BJP arm, the party general secretary and in-charge Jammu and Kashmir affairs, Ram Madhav is arriving here tomorrow on a two-day visit which also includes meeting with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in Srinagar on Friday.
Madhav's visit is in follow-up to the recent visit of his colleague and general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal. The duo were deputed by BJP chief Amit Shah to review party's Jammu and Kashmir affairs after a number of delegations complained before the Home Minister Rajnath Singh, during his recent visit, against the working of BJP Ministers.
"The BJP general secretary is visiting Jammu and Kashmir to review the performance of party ministers in the state government," reliable sources said here.
They said that the visit is in connection with allegations levelled against BJP ministers of poor performance during Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Jammu when he was on four-day tour to the state.
A delegation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries had lodged a complaint with the Union Home Minister against the BJP ministers following which the traders also called a strike on September 18 against what it called "non-performance" of BJP ministers and "sheer discrimination" against the region.
"Madhav will hold discussions and review functioning of the BJP ministers in the state during his visit to Jammu," party sources said.
They said that some of the MLAs and party workers have also expressed resentment with the high command over working of the ministers. "Ministers ignoring own party MLAs constituencies, not interacting with masses and failed to meet expectations of Jammu people, were among some of the concerns expressed before the high command by the activists," BJP insiders said.
They said that the resentment prompted the BJP high command to depute Ram Madhav to look into the complaints.
Sources however, said that reshuffle in the state cabinet is also on cards after Madhav's visit.
"The BJP leader will hold threadbare discussions with state leadership and Ms Mehbooba Mufti on prevailing political scenario following which major changes can be seen in the J&K Ministry," sources said.
They said that besides inducting some of the new faces, reshuffle in portfolio will also take place.
Madhav played a key role as interlocutor in formation of PDP-BJP coalition Government in Jammu and Kashmir.
The BJP won 25 seats in the 2014 assembly elections from Jammu and it has eight cabinet and three ministers of state, including Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh.
Meanwhile, PDP has 13 ministers, including chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.


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