no elected MP got berth in union cabinet in jammu and kashmir

Not a single elected MP from Jammu-Kashmir in union cabinet

Ghulam Nabi Azad inducted in a cabinet is a Rajya Sabha member



Jupinderjit Singh



The 19 member Union Cabinet list announced today has left a bad taste about the recently concluded parliamentary election process as none of the six elected MPs from the state figure in it.



Ghulam Nabi Azad, whose name figured among the cabinet ministers who took oath today is a Rajya Sabha member. Six MPs, who literally passed through fire in the elections, do not find their name in the list released today.



Even though news reports suggest Farooq Abdullah may be inducted into the cabinet on Tuesday, there is no finality about it and also whether he would accept it or not. The National Conference leader has already aired his bitterness at not being invited in the Oath taking ceremony.



Political analysts suggested there was more than what meet the eye in the dramatic ignore of Farooq Abdullah. They said the congress high command could be caught in choosing between the Saifuddin Soz and Farooq Abdullah camps as both leaders, stalwart figure in the valley, are not on very good terms.



City residents feel particularly bad about the non –induction of MP Madan lal Sharma and Lal Singh. Both have won the parliamentary election for the second consecutive time. They defeated BJP candidates just few months after the BJP had won eleven Assembly seats just few months ago.



People were hoping Congress MP from Jammu, Madan Lal Sharma may get a berth even though the leaders have not made public any sentiment regarding their aspirations.



Though Ghulam Nabi Azad belongs to Bhaderwah Assembly constituency which falls in Jammu division, he has not been accepted as some one representing Jammu region.



Jammu region residents have been airing concern about not getting due representation in the State Legislative Assembly as well as in the Union Cabinet list.



BJP leader Chaman Lal Gupta was the only leader from Jammu who was made Minister of State in Defence Ministry and Civil Aviation.



Jatinder Gupta, a local trader said people were hoping development would take place at fast pace if some leader from Jammu was given an important ministry especially Tourism or road and transport.

EOM