STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh on Friday faced a piquant situation in the lawns of Raj Bhawan soon after he greeted members of Council of Ministers and other guests before occupying his seat next to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
As he approached his allotted seat, Deputy Chief Minister found Health Minister Bali Bhagat occupying it. Without asking him directly to vacate the seat, Dr Singh inquired from one of the officers escorting the VVIP’s about the seating arrangement. At this moment the officer tried to explain the situation to the Health Minister but he ostensibly ignored the request.
Feeling embarrassed in front of the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Dr Nirmal Singh himself went ahead and shook hands with Bali Bhagat. At the same time he patted his back and in response Health Minister vacated the seat and occupied his allotted seat in the front row along with other senior cabinet ministers.
Feeling relaxed Dr Nirmal Singh sat alongside Chief Minister during the brief oath taking ceremony. Later, when Chief Minister took round of the sprawling lawns of Raj Bhawan while accompanying Governor N. N Vohra and newly appointed cabinet minister Syed Mohd Altaf Bukhari besides Bali Bhagat, the Deputy Chief Minister was nowhere to be seen.
