KL Desk
Srinagar
While expressing satisfaction over the recent cabinet reshuffle, Additional General Secretary of National Conference, Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal Wednesday said the limit on size of cabinet needs to be enhanced for giving representation to all regions and backward areas of the state in the state cabinet.
“The rules need to be changed for J&K keeping in view its geography and difficult terrain, The existing slots are limited and enhancing the limit would give representation to more areas and regions which otherwise feel left out”, said Kamal while talking to KNS adding that maximum number of areas possible under the limits have been given representation in Tuesday’s reshuffle.
He said the decision to represent backward areas like Doda, Gurez, Zanskar and Kupwara in the cabinet was a positive step towards solving problems in the remote areas apart from strengthening the party there.
While praising the state Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather and Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Minister Ali Muhammad Sagar, Kamal said there could be no replacements for them in the state cabinet. “They are senior members of the cabinet and their administrative acumen in unmatched. Who could have replaced them”, asked Kamal adding “Rather sahib is a member of the core group of Finance Ministers in the centre which has only 8 finance ministers as its members. He cannot be replaced by anyone”.
Kamal also welcomed the decision of the party leadership to overhaul the party and said it would benefit the party in the long run.
On inclusion of Devender Singh Rana and Nasir Aslam Wani as Provincial Presidents of the Jammu and Kashmir provinces respectively, Kamal said, “They are young and new faces. They have worked closely with the CM over last four years and understand each other well. The Chief Minister also being the Working President of the party, it would benefit us.
On the issue of reported resentment among some senior NC leaders over the reshuffle, Kamal said all the leaders, whether junior or senior, should accept the party leadership’s decision.. “There may be resentment among party leaders being senior, however, they should accept the leadership’s decision like they have done in the past as they would have seen many ups and downs through their careers”, he added.
He said issues like resentment among some leaders in cabinet reshuffle were natural and happen all over the country. “The senior people have the mettle to wait and work hard for making 2014 successful”, he said.
