In a surprising development, Jammu and Kashmir’s deputy chief minister and a BJP leader, Nirmal Singh, has resigned. Kavinder Gupta to be the new Deputy Chief Minister of the state, reported ANI.
Jammu and Kashmir has a coalition government of PDP and the BJP with the former’s Mehbooba Mufti being the heading the government as the chief minister.
This is believed to be a part of pre-planned cabinet reshuffle. The new ministers will take oath of office on Monday morning. In fact, it was Singh, who had told PTI last week that his government will carry out a major reshuffle in next few days.
Not too long ago, the BJP had asked all its ministers in the state government to resign soon after two party ministers resigned over the Kathua rape and murder case. Although, it’s not clear what the reason was behind removing Singh and replacing him Gupta, who was the Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly.
Many on social media including some of the BJP supporters are linking his resignation to the gang-rape of an 8-year-old child in Kathua and the arrests of Hindus in connection with the crime.
Jammu & Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh resigns after falsely framing of Hindus in #Kathua case by M. Mufti.
— Prashant P. Umrao (@ippatel) April 29, 2018
J&K: Post Kathua rape fallout, Nirmal Singh steps down as Deputy CM, Kavinder Gupta to replace him https://t.co/OVOmRL5RRN
— Pratik Mukane (@pratikmukane) April 29, 2018
Dr Nirmal Singh must be replaced by @BJP4India in J&K ASAP ..
— Pawan Durani (@PawanDurani) April 19, 2018
Nirmal singh was dumb leader.Hope new person is dynamic and handle jihadi plans of mufti properly and effectively.
— Pramod Panwar (@PramodPanwar8) April 29, 2018