New Delhi looks to be testing Omar's endurance with unconcealed glee, never feeling shy to bite whenever a moment comes its way. After all, ruling the country's only Muslim-majority UT/state has been the BJP's burning desire, points out Mohammad Sayeed Malik, the distinguished commentator on Kashmir affairs.
The chief minister said Vohras appointment as interlocutor would 'provide a good opportunity' for a meaningful dialogue with the elected representatives and other sections in the state.
Mehbooba slams Omar Abdullah for his inability and lack of understanding of Kashmir politics. While she gives some credit to Congressman Ghulam Nabi Azad as a chief minister, for her junior Abdullah is "the most inefficient chief minister the state has ever had."
Though his party has two ministers in the Congress-led coalition government, Singh was present when Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat filed his nomination in the presidential election.
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed wanted a government with the PDP (representing Kashmir), the BJP (representing Jammu) and the Congress (representing Ladakh), but he failed because the BJp and Congress were unwilling to make any exception to their national level inimical relationship, reveals Mohammad Sayeed Malik.
Rehman had suggested that the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration could be the basis for normalisation of Indo-Pak ties.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Sayed was at her volatile best during a joint press conference in Srinagar with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
So far 14 Kashmiri Pandits have filed nominations to contest from the valley for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, aiming to ensure the return and rehabilitation of their fellow community members, whose number run up to 3 lakh.
The legislature party of the PDP which met in Srinagar on Thursday afternoon unanimously chose Mehbooba Mufti as the chief ministerial candidate as also its leader.
The prime minister told Sayeed, former chief minister of the state, that he had held preliminary discussions with his colleagues and more meetings were scheduled to take place in the next couple of days.
'Right now, we have no relationship with Pakistan. And the relationship with China is not great.'
Taking exception to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed describing Hari Parbat as\n'Koh-i-Maran', the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday accused the coalition government of supporting 'talibanisation'.
"Time has come when people should also take upon themselves the responsibility of using their influence on militants to make them renounce violence," the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said.
We'd like to know, however, is what you thought about the Modi-Sayeed hug?
The J&K chief minister said it is the 'happiest day' for him since coming to power last year, as the demand of the Kashmiri people for talks at the highest level has been fulfilled.
Omar Abdullah, who on Wednesday resigned as chief minister, indicated that his National Conference could play a part in government formation in Jammu and Kashmir after the election threw up a hung assembly.
Mukherjee has been entrusted with the task of handling the stand off between the two stalwarts before it gets out of hand, according sources close to external affairs minister.
Fate of 271 candidates including two former chief ministers -- Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Ghulam Nabi Azad -- would be sealed on Wednesday, as 16 constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir go to polls in the sixth round of the seven-phase assembly elections.As many as 20,000 additional security forces personnel and nearly 10,000 local policemen have been deployed at 1,268 polling stations set up in the 16 assembly seats spread over five districts.
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday announced its support to the United Progressive Alliance presidential nominee, Pranab Mukherjee.
If Jammu and Kashmir comes under Governor's rule, it will be for the eighth time in four decades.
The order states that the state flag should be displayed along with the tricolour at all official buildings
The J&K chief minister apprised Rob Young of the steps being taken to restore peace in the state.
The two parties in alliance with smaller parties and some independents had reached a power sharing agreement in 2002 when the people gave a split verdict in the Assembly polls.
He emphasised the need for fully opening up the state to the fast economic activities shaping up in the region so that the people of the state could also reap the benefits of economic liberalisation, it said.
The challenges will be the real test of Mehbooba's leadership qualities and political acumen as she does not enjoy her father's stature and vast political experience.
Sayeed said another idea being discussed is that the governor should be elected and not appointed by the Central government.
Mehbooba Mufti, president of People's Democratic Party, claimed that she has surrendered her security, and so has her party legislators.
Protests broke out in several areas in Jammu on Thursday against raising of Pakistani flags and pro-Pakistan slogans at the rally held by separatist leaders in Srinagar on Wednesday.
The hardline faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, however, said it was no permanent solution to the Kashmir issue.
Even Ajmal Kasab was given a fair trial in our country, the Supreme Court on Thursday remarked and indicated it may set up a courtroom inside Tihar Jail for the trial of J-K separatist leader Yasin Malik in a kidnapping case.
The PM's media advisor said there was not timeframe for implementation of the recommendations.
