Srinagar, Oct 27: National Conference MLA Abdul Majeed Larvi on Tuesday expressed disappointment over being left out of the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet expansion, saying he believed he deserved a ministerial berth but would accept the decision of the party leadership.
The Anantnag West legislator said he had expected to be inducted into the Cabinet, even as he acknowledged the leadership’s right to decide on the composition of the ministry.
“It was God’s decision and then it was our leadership’s decision. Our leadership understood it better, although I was deserving of a ministerial post. I was expecting that it would happen to me as well,” Larvi said.
The MLA said he accepted the induction of the four legislators chosen for ministerial positions but admitted that his exclusion had hurt him.
“The four people they took, we accept them. It’s not like that,” he said, adding, “But my heart does hurt because I deserved it as well.”
Explaining his disappointment, MLA Larvi cited his seniority, honesty and loyalty to the party, saying he had remained dedicated to the organisation.
“My heart hurts because I was a senior. Secondly, I was honest. Thirdly, I was loyal. Fourthly, I was dedicated. It is because of that my heart hurts. Because I am also a human being,” he said.
Despite being left out, Larvi said he would continue working for the National Conference.
“I am a soldier of the party. God willing, we will work for the party. Such situations keep coming up,” he said.
Asked whether he had objected to the induction of any of the new ministers, MLA Larvi referred to Satish Sharma, an independent legislator who had been part of the Omar Abdullah-led government, saying Sharma had made a commitment to join the National Conference.
“Who did I object to? Satish Sharma and others. Because he had a commitment to join the National Conference,” Larvi said.
His remarks came after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office to four legislators — Ali Mohammad Sagar, Shamima Firdous, Mir Saifullah and Altaf Kaloo — at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar on Tuesday.
The expansion took the Council of Ministers in Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s government to its maximum permissible strength of nine members. The ceremony was attended by Abdullah and other political leaders. (KNS).
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