Hyder Ali
Early Times Report
srinagar, Mar 28: In a surprise move, PDP leaders Dr Haseeb Drabu and Syed Altaf Bukhari, have joined hands ahead of the Government formation.
The duo, otherwise known for maintaining some distance, has gone for a strategic "patch up" at a time when PDP and BJP are deciding over portfolios to be allotted in the new Government led by Mehbooba Mufti as Chief Minister.
Though Bukhari was often seen close to his party colleague Naeem Akhter, who doesn't share good equation with Drabu, now there seems to be a twist in the story.
Bukhari-Drabu friendship is in the air. And, this is no secret. On March 24, when PDP held crucial meeting at Mehbooba's Fairview residence to elect her as party leader, the media persons were taken by surprise when a black Audi drove into the villa in the foothills of Zabarwan hills.
Some couldn't believe their eyes. It was Bukhari and Dr Drabu traveling together in the fashionable sedan.
Sources said Bukhari had offered "lift" to former banker, "so as to hold last minute discussions together." The duo alighted out of the vehicle, busy in conversation. They rushed straight to the meeting hall.
Observers said duo's arrival to the venue was a strategic move to give feelers to the media that "we are united." "It is for the first time I have seen them together, so friendly, with each other," said a party leader.
Sources said a Srinagar-based businessman into hotel industry, who has been their common friend, advised them to forge unity. And, his spell worked.
Infact, sources said the duo was in the national capital together when Mehbooba held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seal the pact, which witnessed three months of twists and turns.
Call it fate or coincidence, Bukhari and Drabu have joined hands at a time when PDP stalwarts Muzaffar Hussain Beigh and Tariq Hameed Karra have taken the center stage in party's decision-making over Government formation.
Though during the previous Mufti Mohammad Sayeed led Government, the MP duo had distanced from decision- making, after former's demise on January 7, the duo bounced back to helm with full confidence.
As of now the two have been mentoring the party over the Government formation while Karra is likely to be inducted into the new Cabinet "owing to the vast political experience he has to his credit."
On March 26, the two accompanied Mehbooba to the Raj Bhawan where she staked claim for Government formation.
While Mehbooba is set to be the first woman Chief Minister of the State, lobbying is on over distribution of portfolios.
Sources said performance of the Ministers in the previous Cabinet and public feedback particularly from grassroots would play a crucial role in the allotment of the portfolios. |
