A cinematographer by profession, 45-year-old Tassaduq is at present the coordinator of the CM’s grievance cell; alliance partner BJP unlikely to object to CM’s decision.
New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti is likely to induct her brother Tassaduq Hussain Mufti as tourism minister, a portfolio which is currently with her.
A cinematographer by profession, 45-year- old Tassaduq is at present the coordinator of the CM’s grievance cell.
He had joined the Mehbooba-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the first death anniversary of his father and PDP stalwart, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, in January this year.
“The decks have been cleared for him to join the cabinet. He is likely to be the minister of tourism. He is in Delhi right now but within a few days the process of his induction will start,” a PDP insider told ThePrint.
He said the cabinet berth belongs to PDP and so there was no objection from alliance partner BJP to Tassaduq joining the cabinet. Sources said Mehbooba had consulted her party colleagues before taking the decision.
The youngest of the four siblings and the only son of Mufti Sayeed, Tassaduq will be first nominated to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council against a seat that fell vacant after Vikramaditya Singh, the grandson of former Dogra ruler of the state, Maharaja Hari Singh, resigned recently.
Tassaduq is known for his work in two Bollywood movies — Omkara and Kaminey, both directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. He has shown interest in the tourism and ecology of the state and has filmed a video for Jammu and Kashmir tourism.
Thought to be a reluctant politician, Tassaduq had been away from the state’s political scene until his father fell ill. Eventually, he joined the party after Sayeed’s death last year. He was fielded as the PDP candidate for the Anantnag Lok Sabha bypolls, which has been deferred due to security concerns.