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Indian-controlled Kashmir set to get first woman Chief Minister

Xinhua, January 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

Indian-controlled Kashmir is all set to get the first woman Chief Minister as ruling People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti gears up to take oath, following the death of her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Thursday morning at the age of 79.

"As far as People's Democratic Party (PDP) is concerned, we are unanimous that Mehbooba shall succeed Mufti Sahib," senior party leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig told the media.

A law graduate from Kashmir University, Mehbooba has been a dominant force in Kashmir politics for nearly 15 yerars now and has led the party to win most seats during state assembly elections. She is credited for building the party, along with her father who had launched it in 1999.

However, Mehbooba's elevation as the state's Chief Minister would require the nod of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is an alliance partner in the state government.

Sources said it is unlikely that the BJP will not give approval to pave the way for the soft-spoken Mehbooba to take over as the next Chief Minister, otherwise there may be political instability in the state for which India had fought at least three major wars with Pakistan in the past 60 years. Enditem