J&K Dy CM calls Kathua rape 'small issue', BJP-PDP faces backlash: Updates

The Kathua rape and murder case saw some more controversy on Monday, even as the Mehbooba Mufti-led Jammu & Kashmir government was undergoing a Cabinet reshuffle, thanks to some remarks by the newly appointed deputy chief minister Kavinder Gupta. Mufti's People's Democratic Party (PDP) is in power in the state in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

While Gupta termed the case as a "small issue", the induction of BJP MLA Rajiv Jasrotia, who was part of the rally held in support of those accused in the Kathua rape and murder case, in the Cabinet raised questions on the ruling BJP-PDP alliance's stand on the case.

Opposition parties slammed the state government over the issue. J&K's main Opposition National Conference condemned Jasotia's appointment as a minister and raised questions over the nature of alliance between BJP and PDP.

"Why are the BJP/ @MehboobaMufti confused about where they stand on the #Kathua rape?," former J&K chief minister and NC leader Omar abdullah tweeted on Monday.

J&K deputy CM Nirmal Singh quits Mufti govt ahead of Cabinet reshuffle

Ahead of a Cabinet reshuffle on Monday, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh tonight tendered his resignation to pave the way for state Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta to take over the post in the PDP-BJP government led by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

BJP's state unit chief Sat Sharma, MLAs from Kathua and adjoining Sambha Rajiv Jasrotia and Devinder Kumar Manyal are among the BJP faces who will be inducted into the state government as Cabinet ministers, officials said.

"I have resigned from the post to pave the way for a new deputy chief minister in the state," Singh told PTI.

The PDP will have Mohd Khalil Band, MLA from Pulwama, and Mohd Ashraf Mir, MLA from Sonwar, as Cabinet ministers, while the BJP will upgrade Sunil Sharma, at present Minister of State for Transport, to the rank of a Cabinet minister, the officials said.

BJP MLA from Doda Shakti Raj will also be sworn in as Minister of State tomorrow at the oath-taking ceremony, which will be attended by senior BJP leaders, including national general secretary Ram Madhav and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh, they said.