New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir will have a coalition government on the Maharashtra model when Omar Abdullah will be sworn in as the new Chief Minister on January 5, a decision apparently influenced by Congress bitter experience with PDP in the previous government. Both the coalition partners, National Conference and Congress, have decided to do away with the J K model when Congress shared power with the PDP rotating the post of Chief Ministership.

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad conceded that the model had "not worked", hinting to the frictions in the Congress-PDP partnership, especially the way they abruptly withdrew support to the Azad government in the wake of the Amarnath land row. PDP was also hesitant to hand over the reins of the government to the Congress after its Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Syed completed three years in office.

Azad said that there was unanimity on both sides on not going in for the "rotational" model.

Chief Minister designate Omar Abdullah, speaking separately, insisted that there would be no rotation and that he will have a Congress leader as the Deputy Chief Minister.

The key portfolio of Home is expected to go to National Conference with Azad pointing out that for the past few decades, the Chief Minister has always retained Home.

Congress could get Tourism, which is considered important in the state given the amount of revenue it generates. The party would also like to have Finance.

The Maharashtra model is operational for the past nine years with Congress leading the Democratic Front government in the state where the NCP is the major partner.

Source : PTI