I was dropped over a misgiving: Beig

KT NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, Jan 27: Former Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beig today maintained he was withdrawn from the cabinet because former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed had a misgiving about him that he (Beig) in connivance with the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and National Conference was trying to split Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Yet in the same breath, he asserted, "What had happened was past and it won't affect present or future." Beig was talking to media on the sidelines of state assembly.

He clarified he never said that Mufti had let him down.

"I was misquoted.

I said - Mufti Sahib thought I was trying to let him down.

Unhe Yeh Misunderstanding Ho Gayi Thi Ki Main Azad Aur NC Ke Saath Milkar PDP Ko Todaney Ki Koshish Kar Raha Hoon_(He had this misunderstanding that I, along with Azad and NC, was trying to create a fissure within PDP_).

Jabki Maine Unhe Let Down Nahin Kiya.

I did not know even.

What was really unfortunate I was not summoned for explanation even," Beig avowed.

Replying to media's pointed queries about internal strife in PDP, with particular focus on his differences with the party leadership, former Minister for Finance, Law and Parliamentary Affairs elaborated, "Mufti had a feeling that Azad, National Conference and I were going to form a government, that's why I was recalled.

He was "convinced" that I was working against the interests of party." Asked as how a politician like Mufti could be "convinced" this way and by whom, Beig asserted, "He was being fed on this propaganda against me.

In fact, some people were from within the PDP and outside were feeding him against me.

Happily, he got "convinced" just momentarily." Declining to name anyone from "outside people", he, however, revealed that the people included both "political persons and business people." "Why a person leaves the party? There are only two reasons if a person leaves - not because of a chair or a post- one if he is disgraced and secondly if there are ideological differences.

In my case, it was a temporary setback.

Within 24 hours, we (Mufti and Beig) "rebuilt and repaired" our relations," he added.

In a reply to the question pertaining to his present "equations" with the party leadership, Beig stated, "We're trying to sort out differences.

As far as Mehbooba Mufti is concerned, I never had differences with her and I never said so.

I've differences with Mufti Sahib only because he gave me the trust.

The way he reposed great trust and confidence in me, I was overwhelmed." "It happened not once but twice.

Mufti Sahib on both the occasions gave me a paper and asked me to go and prepare a list of ministers to be submitted on behalf of PDP.

Unhonay Mujh Pe Itna Yakeen Kiya Jitna Koi Apni Aulaad Par Bhi Nahin Karta.

Mujhe Yahi Shikaayat Rahi Unsay Ke Mujhse Poochha Kyun Nahin Unhonay..(He had reposed his trust in me to the extent which even the parents don't repose in their children.

That's why, I had a grouse as why he did not ask me on this account.

And how could he become convinced that I would conspire with Azad against PDP," he rued.

Why he took so long to clarify his position and did not approach Mufti earlier since he enjoyed his full confidence, answering this question, the former Deputy Chief Minister admitted that there was a lack of communication on his part on this account.

"Meri Taraf Se Hi Lack of Communication Tha.

Mufti Sahib too did not call me.

Unka Manana Tha Mujhe Khud Aaana Chahiye Tha_(He was of the view that I should have come on my own).

But let me tell you one thing whatever has happened is past, it won't affect present or future," he asserted.

He avoided query pertaining to a statement allegedly made by PDP president Mehbooba Mufti that Beig had become inaccessible to everyone.

"Mujhe Maloom Nahin Unhone Aisa Kaha Ya Nahin.

But let me tell you, as Deputy Chief Minister I used to meet around 200 people daily.

But yes, I was "inaccessible" to some." When asked as why he was not regularly attending this session and was there any specific reason behind his "special appearances" as whenever he comes, he creates a flutter on one account or the other, his one-liner was, "There is no specific reason for being irregular.

Baaki Ittefaq Hai (Rest is just co-incidence)." "Today I was aware of the business listed.

I wanted to speak on the issue raised by JKNPP MLA Harsh Dev Singh about the elections of MLCs elected by local bodies.

I came because I wanted to clarify some points.

It was an important issue.

Mujhe Khud Zaroorat Thi Isliye Aaya Hoon.

There was no specific or special invitation, I came on my own.

Opposition raised this issue.

They asked me to speak.

However when I was allowed to speak, they (opposition members) objected.

But never mind, that's within rights of opposition," he averred.

"Earlier I was regular because I was duty bound.

Even now I would come and speak but not on routine matters." On the issue of bickering in the cabinet meetings between PDP and Congress and prospects of mid-term elections, he came out with a cautious reply, "There are occasions when there are hiccups.

In fact it (hiccup) goes with the coalition culture.

But when the elections come, the hiccups will disappear.

But I don't see the possibility of mid-term elections.

It can be possible only if Hurriyat Conference delegation takes some concrete decision and there emerges a national consensus on that." He divulged that the draft on "self-rule", on which he was working for PDP, was ready.

"It would be tabled in the next meeting of Working Group on Centre-state relations," he informed.