SRINAGAR, Oct 29: Occupied Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed on Saturday quit his post in accordance with a power-sharing pact with the Congress party, which will now rule the region for the next three years, officials said.

“I have tendered my resignation to the governor,” Mufti Sayeed told reporters outside the residence of State Governor S.K. Sinha in Srinagar.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, India’s urban development minister, will replace Mufti Sayeed of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Mufti Sayeed was installed on Nov 2, 2002 in line with a power-sharing pact following landmark state elections in the Himalayan region.

India’s ruling Congress party and the regional PDP ousted the National Conference and formed a coalition. The parties then agreed to split the six-year term between two candidates, one from each party.

Mr Azad will be sworn in on Nov 2 and until then Mufti Sayeed will continue to be in charge as acting chief minister.

“The coalition will continue to work in the same spirit,” said Mufti Sayeed.—AFP