Change of old guard in Kashmir

Azad, 56, who is considered a staunch loyalist of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, will be the first Congress party leader to occupy the top post in the state after nearly three decades. He would be sworn in as Chief Minister on November 2.

Azad is at present the Federal Minister in charge of two key portfolios Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs in the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The decision to nominate Azad as the Chief Minister was taken by Congress President Sonia Gandhi after consultation with senior party leaders and leaders of some other constituents of India's ruling coalition in the last four to five days, resolving Congress party's dilemma whether to give Sayeed an extension or take over the reins in the state.

Capping days of debate within Congress, Congress general secretary Ambika Soni announced Azad's nomination as Chief Minister at a news conference here Thursday night. She said Sayeed and Mehbooba have assured Sonia Gandhi that PDP would extend full cooperation to Azad at the helm of power in the state.

After the last assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir in 2002, Congress emerged as the single largest party with 20 seats followed by PDP, headed by Sayeed's daughter Mehbooba Mufti, which secured 16 seats.