Bukhari resigns from Mehbooba's Cabinet

Jammu: Syed Basharat Bukhari today resigned from the Cabinet of Mehbooba Mufti soon after he was shifted from high profile Revenue, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Ministry to Horticulture department.

Close on heels of Bukhari’s resignation, rumors are thick that Sports Minister Imran Raza Ansari has also resigned.

“I have resigned from the council of Ministers today. I have forwarded the letter of resignation to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tonight,” Bukhari told PTI from Srinagar.

He said he has given all the reasons for his resignation in a letter to the Chief Minister.

Ansari, as per unconfirmed reports, has also resigned.

PTI tried to reach him for confirmation but both his phones were switched off and SMSes were not responded to by Ansari.

Hamid Karra, who was founder leader of PDP, had already resigned as Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar ans also from PDP itself last year.

In a minor change in portfolios after induction of Syed Altaf Bukhari in the cabinet as Education Minister, Mehbooba assigned the charge of various departments to the Ministers, by shifting Syed Basharat Bukhari from Revenue, Relief & Rehabilitation and Disaster Management ministry to Horticulture department.

Syed Altaf Bukhari was given charge of Education Ministry and incumbet Naeem Akhtar was given the high-profile Public Works Department (PWD).

Abdul Rehman Veeri, who was PWD minister, has been assigned the charge of Ministry of Revenue, Disaster Management, Relief Rehabilitation & Reconstruction and Parliamentary Affairs, official spokesman said.

Dr Haseeb A Drabu will hold charge of Finance Labour & Employment divesting him from portfolio of Culture.

The charge of the Department of Culture shall remain with the Chief Minister, the spokesman said.