Sidelights

Raj Bhawan becomes a smoking Zone!

Jammu Tawi, Feb 17: A pleasing scrap of amusing happenings at Raj Bhawan were witnessed during a simple and a brief oath-taking ceremony specially held for inducting a disgruntled Srinagar based PDP MLA Mr. Altaf Bukhari, who was earlier dropped by Ms Mehbooba Mufti while forming her cabinet as Chief Minister. Altaf Bukhari, an old stalwart, known for his political maneuvering was a member in Mufti Mohd Syeed's cabinet, staged a comeback after PDP felt him a necessity in view of forthcoming Srinagar Lok Sabha by-polls to check-mate, Tariq Hamid Karra, the founder member of PDP and Srinagar MP who had resigned from PDP and his LS seat.

Going by the contents of the Invitation Card, there were speculations of Governor administering oath to more than one minister as the text of invitation talked about plural narrative “….. Administering oath to Legislators as Ministers…” After the Warrant was read at the podium and Mr. Altaf Bukhari took the oath in the name of ‘ALLAH', the ceremony was wound up with announcement for Council of Ministers to have a Group photograph.

Amusingly, Mr. Kavinder Gupta, holding a constitutional post of the Speaker and not a minister, took a seat next to the Governor. The Governor then politely told Mr. Kavinder Gupta of his mistake and he had to leave the place for the standing cabinet minister.

Earlier, the Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Basharat Bukhari got annoyed and returned from the entry gate after he had a tiff with the security staff of Raj Bhawan to allow entry to all the persons accompanying him. When the security staff insisted on the security/invitation passes, he left with his companions in a buff and did not attended the oath-taking ceremony.

Last but not the least, former separatist leader and now a Minister from BJP quota, Sajjad Lone defied all decorum and civility when he and one of his friends were seen lighting cigarettes openly belittling the essence of Raj Bhawan after the formal function was over. Smoking is prohibited even in public place and is an offence. But who bothers as J&K politicians here give two hoots to the rules and decorum.