Friday, October 28 2005 17:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Allaying apprehensions that its ties with the Congress would get strained after the transfer of power to its coalition partner, People's Democratic Party (PDP) today (Oct 28, 2005) said it would extend 'unflinching support' to the Ghulam Nabi Azad-led dispensation and focus on implementation of the Common Minimum Program (CMP).

"Mufti saheb (Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed) has requested all of us (MLAs) to extend unflinching support to the new Chief Minister. He wants the coalition to succeed," senior PDP leader and Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister, Muzaffar Baig, said.

"He (Sayeed) has advised us not to make issues out of small things but to focus on the implementation of the CMP which is the charter of the Government," Baig said, adding that the PDP will continue to play a positive role towards its implementation.

On the appointment of a new Deputy Chief Minister, Baig said it was not an issue for the PDP and added that it was for the party President Mehbooba Mufti and Sayeed to decide.

"Whoever the party decides to make the Deputy CM will be the Deputy CM," he said.

However, Baig said he was 'personally surprised' at the Congress' decision to take over the mantle of the Government, as he felt the party high command gave the impression that it was impressed with the performance of the Sayeed Government.