Azad is being ill-advised by some people: Finance Minister

Jammu, Dec 19 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Finance and Planning Minister Tariq Hameed Qarra today alleged Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad was being ''ill-advised'' by some politicians, cabinet colleagues and bureaucrats.

Addressing a 'meet the press' programme, organised by the Press Club of Jammu here today, the senior People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader said his party is ready for a mid-term poll, but hoped, it will not happen and the coalition government would complete its full term.

Admitting his party's differences with the Chief Minister on some key administrative issues, the Finance Minister said, ''the difference of opinions' is the soul of democracy and a democratic set-up.'' ''Yes there are some 'difference of opinion' between Congress and PDP over some issues and the differences are the essence of democracy and they would be resolved democratically. If there will not be any differences of opinion, then democracy may be autocracy,'' Mr Karra said.

He said dissolution of the state assembly is not the sole prerogative of any one person or the Chief Minister in a coalition culture where no single party commands a simple majority.

''In the present circumstances and in the interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, I believe that the present assembly would complete its tenure but any how his party is ready to face any eventuality,'' he said.

Admitting to the media report of a verbal spat in a cabinet meet between PDP and Congress ministers over a key issue, Mr Karra said, there was some serious differences with the Chief Minister in cabinet meet but in the evening, Mr Azad called him and we talked.

There were reports of verbal spat in a cabinet meet between PDP-Congress Ministers over a recent order passed by the Chief Minister restricting ministers not to sanction additionalities for any nature of work in a particular district or upgradation of a school or dispensary without the prior approval of the Chief Minister or the Cabinet.

The PDP ministers, including Mr Karra, wanted that order be cancelled but Mr Azad categorically refused to withdraw it and said he would like to continue with the process which was going on when PDP founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was in the chair as the Chief Minister.

Angered by the refusal of the Chief Minister, Mr Karra, who himself wanted to be empowered to sanction additionalities apart from the budgetary support to the respective departments or the districts, reportedly left the Cabinet meet yesterday, saying he had urgent work at home.

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