Azad rushes to New Delhi as political crisis grips J

Jammu, Mar 18 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today rushed to New Delhi to discuss the political crisis in the state with the Congress high command after the People's Democratic Party (PDP) ministers continued to boycott meetings of the Cabinet.

Immediately after the Cabinet meeting this morning the Chief Minister left for New Delhi, sources told UNI.

None of the PDP ministers participated in the Cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, which had to take many vital decisions, including promotions of senior government officials, sources said.

It was the third time in succession that PDP ministers had abstained from the Cabinet meeting.

A political crisis has gripped the state over the PDP's demand for de-militarisation and revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

The PDP, sources said, is considering pulling out of the J and K coalition government, a decision on which would be taken by the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) at Srinagar on March 25.

UNI