Jammu: The Congress high command has taken strong exception to growing factionalism in its Jammu and Kashmir unit, with some leaders openly challenging the UT leadership. Noting recent incidents, the top brass warned J&K leaders against public criticism and directed them to maintain discipline at all costs.
Around a couple of hours long marathon meet was held in New Delhi on Monday evening which was chaired by AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, MP Syed Naseer Hussain. From Jammu and Kashmir five senior Congress leaders—including AICC General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir, who is also the Congress Legislature Party leader in the J&K Assembly; J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hamid Karra; JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla; former JKPCC chief Vikar Rasool Wani; and former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand attended the meeting.
from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir were reportedly warned by the party high command against demonising one another in public. As per sources the Congress high command has taken serious note of the recent statements made by some senior party leaders, especially former J&K Congress president and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Vikar Rasool Wani, who has launched a campaign against incumbent J&K party chief Tariq Hamid Karra. The high command issued strict warnings to party leaders against speaking out against one another and directed them to maintain discipline at all costs.
Few days back during a public rally in Khour, Wani launched attacked on Tariq Hamid Karra and accused the J&K Congress chief of pursuing a separatist agenda. He recalled Karra’s proposal to introduce Pakistani currency alongside Indian currency in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir during the PDP-Congress regime. He reminded party workers of Karra’s political past and alleged that some leaders currently occupying influential positions in the party had earlier advocated policies inconsistent with the Congress party’s nationalist ideology.
The High Command has warned leaders to refrain from mudslinging which dents the party image and any grievance should be highlighted inside the party forum instead of going public.
As per sources Wani has allegedly told the High Command that alliance with National Conference(NC) in Jammu and Kashmir is not beneficial for grand old party and even demanded walking out of the government. As sources the High Command was keenly observing the situation as only on Monday Chief Minister Omar Abdullah attended the INDIA block meeting alongside Congress Rahul Gandhi.
Meanwhile last evening after the meeting MP Syed Naseer Hussain said, “The entire senior leadership of Jammu & Kashmir met to discuss ongoing political developments and the recently concluded organisational restructuring. We also deliberated on the issue of statehood, a cause that the Congress party has consistently championed in support of the rights and aspirations of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
The Congress has organised major protests and agitations across districts and held a significant demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi demanding the restoration of statehood. Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge Ji and Leader of the Opposition Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji have also urged the Prime Minister to restore statehood, reflecting the long standing demand of the people.
The absence of statehood has created numerous challenges. Development activities have slowed, and key administrative decisions remain concentrated under the Governor’s authority. Jammu & Kashmir deserves the same democratic governance enjoyed by other states, with an elected government empowered to serve its people effectively. We remain committed to the restoration of full statehood and the strengthening of democratic institutions in Jammu & Kashmir, he added.
