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Mukhtar Ahmed in Srinagar
The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah on his return to Srinagar on Monday after a fortnight's holiday in London hardened his posture with regard to imposition of Governor's rule as a prelude to the forthcoming state assembly election.
Abdullah told reporters in the state assembly after casting his vote in the presidential poll that the election will be held on the scheduled date in October under the National Conference government.
"It will be our rule. The polls will be held on the scheduled date and whoever wants to take part in that are welcome. No one can threaten us on this," he said.
Various political parties have been demanding imposition of Governor's rule in the state before the state assembly polls.
The chief minister, however, contended that there was no confrontation between the Centre and the state government with regard to autonomy issue.
Abdullah said, "We don't need to pass a bill in this regard as the Centre has appointed a gentleman and we are also appointing a gentleman to hold discussion on autonomy."
He said, "I met the gentleman appointed by Centre yesterday in Delhi." The J&K chief minister, however, refused to disclose the name of the person.
Sources close to the chief minister revealed that the state government has reportedly appointed the Housing and Urban Minister Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Shah to hold discussions with the Centre on the autonomy issue.
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