Both Basharat Bukhari and Imran Ansari separately met the Chief Minister at her residence and discussed with her the reasons behind their resignations.
The aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party leaders who resigned on Friday following a reshuffle in portfolios of ministers had closed-door meetings with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, day after a group of party leaders urged them to withdraw their resignations.
Both Basharat Bukhari and Imran Ansari separately met the Chief Minister at her residence and discussed with her the reasons behind their resignations.
Ansari, who was the Minister for Information Technology, Technical Education and Youth Services & Sports, met the Chief Minister at her Gupkar residence on late Saturday night.
Abid Ansari, MLA Zadibal and Imran’s uncle, confirmed to Kashmir Post about the meeting. “He (Imran) told me that he explained to the Chief Minister the reasons behind his decision and reminded her of the assurances he had got on the change in his portfolio in the first reshuffle in the Council of Ministers,” said Abid, adding: “The Chief Minister listened to Imran patiently.”
Asked whether Imran got any assurance from the Chief Minister on his demand for change in the portfolio, Abid evaded a direct response.
“Now the ball is in the Chief Minister’s court. If the Government is ready to change his (Imran’s) portfolio then he will certainly reconsider his decision, else he would stick to his word,” said Abid.
This morning, Bukhari, who was the Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation also met Chief Minister at her residence in the backdrop of his resignation.
Sources said Bukhari reiterated his position he had explained in the resignation letter sent to the Chief Minister.
However, they said, there was no forward movement on the issue as the Chief Minister hasn’t given any “concrete assurance” to the leaders about their demands.
“The two leaders had detailed meeting with the Chief Minister. But they were asked that it would be better to withdraw the resignation first and resume their office as Ministers,” the sources said.
