PDP recalls Baigh from Cabinet; Zargar new DyCM

Srinagar, Aug 31: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) tonight recalled Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baigh from the state Cabinet and also removed him as the legislature party leader.

A decision to this effect was taken at an emergency meeting of PDP legislators and senior leaders summoned by party chief Mehbooba Mufti at the residence of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed here.

The meeting lasted more than an hour.

PDP sources said Agriculture Minister Abdul Aziz Zargar will be the new party leader in the state Assembly and would also be the new Deputy Chief Minister.

The PDP high command has sent a letter to Assembly Speaker Tara Chand informing him that the party had no-confidence in him as the Legislature Party leader and has appointed Mr Zargar in his place, they added.

The sources said another letter has been sent to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad asking him to relieve Mr Baigh as a Cabinet Minister.

In today's berth allocation, Mr Baigh had retained the important portfolios of Finance, Planning, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, but was divested of Tourism.

UNI