Srinagar: Top sources said Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi is likely to replace Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha as the Election Commission prepares to hold assembly elections in the Union Territory before the end of the year.
A top source told IANS, “Naqvi has finally emerged as the top choice for the post of Lieutenant Governor in Jammu and Kashmir, following the growing concern in New Delhi over the recent targeted killings and the need for a democratically elected government to take office at the earliest.” Curiously after,” a top source told IANS. ,
In view of his chances of getting the post of Lieutenant Governor, the BJP had decided not to field Naqvi in the recent Rajya Sabha elections.
“His vast experience in the government and the party and to send the right message to the Kashmir Valley has made him consider for this position to fulfill his promise of forming a popular government in J&K before the restoration of the central statehood. Seriously, here,” revealed a source.
Sinha replaced GC Murmu in August 2020, who took over as the first lieutenant governor of the union territory from the then governor Satya Pal Malik. Malik was the last governor of the state of Jammu and Kashmir before the Union Territory status.
Sources also said that after taking over as the Lieutenant Governor, Naqvi is expected to make some changes at the top level in the Jammu and Kashmir administration.