Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, whose government was reduced to a minority after the Peoples Democratic Party pulled out, claimed on Sunday that he had the requisite numbers in the state assembly to complete his full term in office.
"My government will complete its full term till November 2," Azad told media persons when asked about his future course of action following the PDP's pullout and withdrawal of support from the coalition government on Saturday.
Azad claimed he had the support of more than the required number of MLAs in the state assembly and his government was not in any danger. "I have more than the numbers (required). Why are you talking about 44, why not 60," he said.
However, the chief minister refused to divulge which parties or MLAs were supporting his government although four independents -- Raman Matoo, Usman Majid, Ghulam Mohiuddin Sofi and Shoaib Lone -- were present at the chief minister's residence at the time of the press conference. Meanwhile, the resignations of all the PDP ministers have been accepted by Governor N N Vohra.
The resignations were submitted to the governor who has accepted them, Azad said. PDP ministers stepped down after the party withdrew support to the government in the wake the controversy over transfer of forest land to the Amarnath shrine board.
The PDP move has apparently reduced the Azad-led government to a minority in the 87-member state assembly
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