Mehbooba Mufti likely to become first woman CM of Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar: After Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's sudden demise, his daughter Mehbooba Mufti is likely to take over the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister's post vacated by her father.

If chosen, which is likely, Mehbooba Mufti will be the first woman chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

"As far as PDP is concerned, we are unanimous that Mehbooba shall succeed Mufti Sahib," senior PDP leader and Lok Sabha member Muzaffar Hussain Baig told reporters.

However, Mehbooba's ascent to the post of the Chief Minister would require approval of BJP, the junior coalition partner in the state government.

Although no one from the BJP has so far opposed Mehbooba's elevation, a final decision on the issue will be taken by the party high command.

Meanwhile, Avinash Rai Khanna, BJP in-charge of state, said it is for PDP to decide on J&K CM.

In the 87-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, PDP won 28 seats and BJP 25 while opposition National Conference got 15 and Congress 12.

Unlike the long delay in stitching the alliance with PDP last year, the BJP will have to make up its mind quickly with the Budget Session of the Assembly slated to begin on January 18.

Mehbooba has never lost an election from South Kashmir so far.