Srinagar, July 4: Three days ahead of the crucial floor test for the Azad Government in J-K, opposition parties are gearing up in full force to defeat the Chief Minister, and have issued whips to their MLAs instructing them to vote against any motion introduced by the state Government to prove its majority.

The chief whip of the PDP, Abdul Gaffar Sofi issued a whip to all party legislators — there are 1— on Friday, asking them to remain present in the Legislative Assembly on July 7 at 10 am when the State Government is supposed to prove its majority. Panthers Party chairman Prof Bhim Singh also confirmed that he issued a whip to the party's four legislators asking them not to support the Congress Government.

The National Conference, which has 24 MLAs, is also likely to issue a whip to its legislators after a party meeting scheduled to be held on Saturday at party headquarters, claimed former minister and NC's legislative party leader Abdul Rahim Rather, saying, “We have already decided to go against the Azad Government.” Also joining the anti-Azad bandwagon are the BJP and Jammu Jana Morcha, which have one MLA each.

The PDP leadership, in the meanwhile, has ensured that all loopholes are blocked. The spokesman of the party made it clear that if a member votes against the whip, the legislature party leader can declare him disqualified immediately. The PDP has also stated that even its expelled minister Ghulam Hassan Mir cannot legally vote against the party whip. “Even if a member is expelled from the party he cannot violate the whip in accordance with the Supreme Court ruling and will face the same provisions of disqualification,” the spokesman said.

Sources claim that Mir is lobbying hard to ensure that Azad wins the majority on Monday and is in touch with independent candidates to garner support for the Chief Minister.

Putting up a brave face, senior vice-president of the Congress Ghulam Nabi Monga said, “The Chief Minister will definitely prove his majority on the floor of house — we are strong enough to face any challenge.” The Congress party, which has 21 legislators, has the support of over a dozen independent MLAs who have assured the Government of their support.