CPM set to gain Ministerial role in Kashmir as Tarigami joins National Conference cabinet

NEW DELHI: After many years, the CPM is poised to gain a ministerial position outside Kerala. Reports indicate that CPM member Muhammad Yusuf Tarigami, who won a seat in Kashmir, is set to join the National Conference cabinet. Discussions between the National Conference and CPM central leadership are ongoing, with a decision expected within two days. If Tarigami assumes the ministerial role, the CPM will have representation in both Kerala, at the southern tip of the country and Kashmir, at the northern tip.

Tarigami, who is also a party central committee member, won the Kulgam constituency in Kashmir with a clear majority. Tarigami was first elected from Kulgam in 1996. The win was repeated in 2002, 2008 and 2014. Political observers consider the 73-year-old Tarigami as the most powerful leader in Kashmir.

He was under house arrest for months when the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked. With the permission of the Supreme Court, the then CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury visited him at his home and it was big news at the national level.

Meanwhile, the National Conference, which is set to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir, has received the support of four independents giving it confidence. Chapyare Lal Sharma (Inderwal), Satish Sharma (Chhamb), Chaudhary Mohammad Akram (Surenkot) and Dr Rameshwar Singh (Bani) expressed their support. With this, Congress with six seats will lose its grip on the government.

Chief Minister-designate Omar Abdullah can now form the government without Congress support. Out of 90 member seats, 46 seats are required for absolute majority. This is apart from the five nominated by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha. The 42-seat National Conference needed the support of the six-seat Congress. With the support of independents assured, the Congress will become less of a factor in the government. It has the support of the one-seat CPM.

Yesterday's National Conference Legislative Party meeting elected Omar Abdullah as its leader. Omar announced that he would meet Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha with letters of support from Congress, CPM and independent MLAs and lay claim to form the government.