Is Mufti handing over power to his daughter before year-end? (News Analysis)

Jammu, Nov 12: Amid an open revolt by two of its senior leaders and Lok Sabha members, the political grapevine in this Jammu and Kashmir winter capital is agog with reports the likely transition of power from father to daughter in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might happen sooner rather than later. Ever since the state government stated functioning in Jammu on November 9, wild rumours in the corridors of the civil secretariat and offices of political parties revolve only around one thing: Is Mufti Muhammad Sayeed demitting office in favour of his daughter now or would he wait till next year? For quite some time, it is believed in political circles that the Mufti, who will turn 80 on January 12, 2016, would hand over the mantle to his daughter and party president, Mehbooba Mufti, 56. In addition to attending to party affairs, Mehbooba Mufti represents the south Kashmir Anantnag seat in the Lok Sabha. "Well, she is undeniably the best choice given her role in resurrecting the party ever since it was created. She is also the most trusted advisor of her father," said a senior PDP leader who is believed to be close to both Sayeed and his daughter. The political transition in the PDP might, however, not be as smooth as the well-wishers of the father-daughter duo wish it to be. Two senior PDP leaders and Lok Sabha members, Muzaffar Hussain Beigh and Tariq Hameed Karra, are out in the public against the PDP-BJP alliance in the state. Beigh was the deputy chief minister during the last PDP-Congress coalition government headed by Ghulam Nabi Azad while Karra was the finance minister.