Jammu Tawi, Dec 21: While returning the file pertaining to Tasaduq's nomination as MLC and the government would certainly return it reiterating its recommendation to Raj Bhawan, Minister of State for Haj and Auqaf, Farooq Ahmad Andrabi, has resigned from the council of ministers to pave way for the induction of his nephew Tassaduq Mufti into the ministry,
Sources said that Andrabi, who represents Dooru constituency in the State Legislative Assembly, citing personal reasons has sent his resignation to the Chief Minister for acceptance. Apart from Haj and Auqaf, he was also Minister of State for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Power Development, and Industries and Commerce.
Inducted into the council of ministers on April 4, 2016, he being an uncle of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti wielded considerable influence. Though there had been no need for Andrabi to resign as Chief Minister could still accommodate one more person into her council of ministers which, at present, had only 24 members, sources said that the former resigned so that the party could avoid criticism of Mehbooba Mufti having more than one family member in the ministry.
The chief minister has forwarded Andrabi's resignation to the State Governor. As per norms, the state can have a maximum of 25 ministers in view of the collective strength of both the Houses of State Legislature as 125.
