No rotation of CM's post, says Omar

With the National Conference-Congress coalition government all set to be sworn in on January 5, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister-designate Omar Abdullah on Friday said there would be no rotation of the post and that his deputy would be from the Congress party.

Omar also thanked Congress president Sonia Gandhi who he said "was kind enough" to understand the fallout of a rotational arrangement for the CM's post and asserted that there were no preconditions to this coalition.

"The rotation issue did come up during the discussion but Congress President Sonia Gandhi was kind enough to understand the point of view that rotation was damaging to the state and created uncertainty and confusion," Omar told reporters in New Delhi when asked if there would be a set-up similar to the one in the previous Congress-Peoples Democratic Party government in J&K.

Omar, who was in the national capital to work out the nitty-gritty of the new coalition government with Congress leaders, said, "The deputy chief minister will be from the Congress."

On who could be chosen for the post, the NC chief said, "It is purely an internal matter of the Congress, and I hope that person takes oath along with me."        

On the strength of his cabinet, Omar said, "About two leaders from my party and if the Congress finds it appropriate their two ministers and deputy chief minister will also take oath with us."

The 38-year-old Abdullah, who is set to become J&K's youngest chief minister, said the break-up of portfolios is yet to be decided.