Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) top brass is trying to rope in estranged leader and legislator Muhammad Altaf Bukhari back into the fold and has even offered the plum tourism ministry to him. However sources say the businessman turned politician has out rightly refused the offer and has demanded R&B portfolio to assuage his hurt ego.
Bukhari was seen with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti during her dinner meet with the journalists here on Wednesday for the first time after she took over the reigns of government.
She publicly greeted Bukhari announcing he has returned from Umrah.
Reports said party brass held several meetings with the aggrieved legislator. But Bukhari has refused and has insisted that he be given the R&B ministry portfolio, sources said.
It may be noted that Bukhari was R&B minister in late Mufti Muhammad Sayeds cabinet last year. Following Muftis demise, Bukhari was dropped from the new team of ministers by Mehbooba Mufti over his alleged hobnobbing with the coalition partner BJP.
It was rumoured that Bukhari had tried to sideline Mehbooba and form the government with BJP along with some other PDP legislators after she showed reluctance in accepting the top post immediately after her fathers demise.
The other ministers in Muftis cabinet who were dropped by Mehbooba included Ashraf Mir, Abdul Majid Paddar and Javed Mustafa Mir
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