Rumours about former JK CM's death grips state

Srinagar, May 31: Rumours of the death of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Awami National Conference (ANC) president G M Shah gripped several parts of the Kashmir valley today, prompting the party to issue a statement about his health condition.

Several media organisations, including UNI, received calls from hundreds of people who wanted to know the veracity of these rumours.

Later in the day, the ANC issued a statement about the former Chief Minister's health condition.

The party dismissed as ''wrong and baseless'' the widespread rumours about Mr Shah's death. ''Mr Shah is fit and fine. He is doing the work as per his daily routine,'' the statement added.

Mr Shah was sworn-in as the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister in July two, 1984, with the support of the Congress (I) after toppling the state government, led by his brother-in-law Farooq Abdullah, by engineering defections in the National Conference (NC).

Mr Shah, the estranged brother-in-law of Dr Abdullah, remained in the office for two years before the Congress (I) withdrew support to him on March six, 1986.

The G M Shah government was dismissed, the Assembly kept under suspended animation and the Governor's rulewas imposed in the state.

Later on September 7, 1986, the President's rule was imposed for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir under Article 356 after the expiry of six months of the Governor's rule.

However, the President's rule was revoked on November 7, 1986, following the Rajiv-Farooq Accord. The National Conference (Farooq)- Congress (I) coalition government then took over the reins of the state administration.

The political rivalry between Dr Abdullah and Mr Shah was set up immediately after NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah nominated his son as his successor.

UNI