PDP to MLAs: Vote out Azad

BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Srinagar

July 4: Fearing defection by some of its MLAs in favour of chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad when he faces the floor test on Monday, the People’s Democratic Party has issued a whip asking its 18 legislators to ensure their presence in the House and vote against him.

Chief whip of the PDP, Mr Abdul Gaffar Sofi, issued the whip to all the party legislators on Friday. "The whip seeks from the party legislatures to vote against any motion to be brought by the state government to prove its majority," a statement issued by the party said.

Meanwhile, a spokesman of the party warned that if a member votes against the party whip the Legislature Party leader can declare him or her disqualified immediately after he or she violates the whip. "Even if a member is expelled from the party he cannot violate the whip in accordance with the Supreme Court ruling and will face the same provisions of disqualification," it added.

Two PDP founders and former ministers Ghulam Hassan Mir and Sarfaraz Khan have openly declared their support for Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad.