Jammu, October 11: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and the only visible tallest women politician of the state is all set to be the next and the first women Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir in near future.
The speculations to this effect were set to rest by none other than the current Chief Minister and her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in an interview with Neerja Chowdhury of The Indian Express on October 8 where Mufti said that Mehbooba Mufti was the most credible face today in J&K.
Mufti indicated that Mehbooba was the next CM in making going to be the next in the line of Chief Ministers adding even the alliance partner BJP was also not averse to it which means Mehbooba was going to be the first ever women Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
Even though Mufti clearly said that he was in good health now and would like to spend some more time governing the state but indications were clear that Mehbooba was the obvious choice for a successor.
To a specific question that, “There is buzz that you might make way for your daughter Mehbooba Mufti to take over the reins of the state as you have problems with your health? Mufti answered, “I had a prostate problem and at one stage it had become very painful. Then I showed it to Delhi doctors who said it was a muscular spasm, now I have relief. To another question, “It is said that the BJP is not very keen on Mehbooba Mufti? Mufti replies, “Mehbooba is very competent, and capable of giving leadership and she is the most credible face today. There is no impediment from the BJP’s side to her taking over. But I feel I have to spend just a little more time to stabilize the situation.”
Political observers feel that this specific question answer session was deliberate to send a clear message to the party as well as to alliance partner of who will be the next in line as it is widely believed that Mufti might take a rest from the hectic political life and let Mehbooba take over.
The general feeling is also that it is a good step in right direction as the state needs a young and vibrant leader with a charisma and Mehbooba is the only face at the moment which would serve many purposes.
The first is to take the legacy of Mufti forward and the second to become the first women of the state to rise to the post of Chief Minister fulfilling the political goal of empowering the women.
Since BJP has agreed to let Mufti rule for full term it is obvious that person from PDP would take over and who better than Mehbooba who has not only charisma and caliber but also vast political experience behind her.
It was infact Mehbooba who built the PDP brick by brick single handedly emerging first ever alternative to Congress and National conference in nineties.
Mehbooba has also good clout on her own party as well as the government for having spent considerable time as legislator, parliamentarian and being the president of the ruling party twice.
Besides this Mehbooba has also good equation with state and central leadership of BJP which would come handy to rule the state in a smooth manner with the alliance partner.
Since the state wants a young and vibrant leader it is but a good choice that Mehbooba takes over sooner than later as Mufti can guide her better to take over and run the affairs of the state.
On another front it would also be an opportunity for the state to break the jinx and let the women rise to highest posts of political hierarchy.