Monday, October 31 2005 15:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (retd) S K Sinha today (Oct 31, 2005) invited Leader of Congress Legislature Party Ghulam Nabi Azad to form the new government in the state, a Raj Bhawan spokesman said here.

Fifty-six year old Azad would be sworn in as the tenth Chief Minister of the state by Sinha on November 2 at 5.00 PM at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre complex, he said.

"The governor has scrutinised the papers submitted by Azad yesterday and was satisfied about the support commanded by him in the legislative assembly," the spokesman said.

Sources said at least five ministers would be sworn in along with Azad. Muzaffar Hussain Baig, who was elected leader of PDP legislature party yesterday, was likely to be sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister.

Azad was nominated the Chief Minister by Congress High Command and is slated to take over the reins of the government from Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who resigned on October 29 under a power sharing arrangement between the ruling coalition partners after the September 2002 assembly polls.

Sources said five ministers were expected to be sworn in along with Azad to look after day-to-day affaris of the administration in view of the recent earthquake.

With the swearing in of Azad, Congress would come to power in Jammu and Kashmir after a gap of 30 years. The last Congress CM Mir Qasim, relinquished charge to Sheikh Abdullah after an accord with Indira Gandhi in 1975.