Azad heading for Delhi?

As a former CM and a veteran leader Azad will not be part of the Abdullah team. Many expect him to return to the Centre either as a minister or to help in the central organization, reports Saroj Nagi.

Omar Abdullah, set to be the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, expects to have his father Farooq back in the Rajya Sabha where he has a role to play while helping him rebuild the National Conference in the state.

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“We have seen a decline in vote share by two to three per cent and other than getting one seat we have been wiped out in south Kashmir. I am looking at Dr Farooq Abdullah to play a far greater role in rebuilding the party,’’ Omar said.

Besides the senior Abdullah, questions are being asked about the possible roles for other senior leaders in the state, including Congress’ Ghulam Nabi Azad and Saifuddin Soz.

As a former CM and a veteran leader Azad will not be part of the Abdullah team. Many expect him to return to the Centre either as a minister or to help in the central organization.

Soz is the state unit chief and is likely to continue in that role until the Lok Sabha elections. As the person who played a crucial role in working out the NC-Congress deal, Soz’s presence in the state is expected to be of help. His term as a Rajya Sabha member has ended but is likely to be renominated as a joint candidate for the two parties.