PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti broke down as she met her party members yesterday evening as the traditional four-day mourning for her father and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed ended.

Mufti, who is expected to take over as the state's first woman chief minister, told the PDP legislators to head back to their constituencies and work to strengthen the party. She did not mention government formation.

Jammu and Kashmir is under a brief spell of Governor's Rule since Friday, since Mufti chose not to be sworn in immediately after her father's death.

The state's constitution provides that the post of chief minister cannot be vacant.

A seven-day state mourning ends on Wednesday, but PDP sources have said, is not inclined to take oath all of this week, and the delay has set off speculation about a political realignment in the state.

A 10-minute meeting between Mufti and Congress president Sonia Gandhi yesterday fuelled the speculation. The Congress has said Sonia visited Mehbooba Mufti to offer condolences and stressed that they are close family friends.

Pic: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti breaks down while offering prayers for her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed yesterday/PTI.