Jammu: Days after the All India Congress Committee’s (AICC) three-member fact-finding panel concluded its much-publicised visit to Jammu and Kashmir, scepticism is mounting within the party over the outcome of the exercise, with many leaders dismissing it as a “mere eyewash” in the absence of any visible follow-up action.
The committee, constituted to probe allegations of factionalism, anti-party activities and organisational indiscipline within the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), completed its three-day exercise and returned to New Delhi on June 23. However, several Congress leaders claim the exercise has failed to inspire confidence among party workers as no action has been initiated against the alleged dissidents.
A section of party leaders questioned the seriousness of the exercise, pointing out that the panel confined its interactions to Srinagar and did not visit the Jammu region, where much of the organisational discontent is believed to have originated.
“If the fact-finding panel was genuinely serious about addressing factionalism and fixing accountability, it should have visited Jammu as well. The entire exercise appears to have been eyewash aimed at pacifying loyal party workers,” a senior Congress leader told The News Now on the condition of anonymity.
Some leaders even remarked that the visit appeared more like an opportunity for the panel members to enjoy the “pleasant weather” of Srinagar than a “sincere attempt” to resolve the party’s internal crisis.
Despite the criticism, the party sources maintained that the panel’s exercise was only the first phase of the process. They said the committee is expected to submit its report to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge in the coming days, following which the party high command will decide on any disciplinary or organisational action against leaders allegedly involved in anti-party activities.
During its stay in Srinagar, the committee held extensive consultations with more than 70 party leaders, including former ministers, former legislators, office-bearers of the JKPCC and representatives of various frontal organisations. Sources said several leaders met the committee individually, while others presented their views in group meetings on the prevailing organisational situation in the party.
The fact-finding committee was constituted by the AICC amid growing complaints of factionalism, internal dissension and alleged anti-party activities in the Jammu and Kashmir Congress. The move reflected the party leadership’s concern over the widening organisational rift in the Union Territory. The committee is headed by Shaktisinh Gohil as Convener, with Dr Amar Singh and Rafeek Khan serving as members.
According to party insiders, the panel has been tasked with identifying the causes of factionalism within the JKPCC, examining complaints against party leaders and recommending measures to restore organisational discipline, coordination and unity.
Sources said the committee’s findings are likely to influence the Congress leadership’s future organisational strategy in Jammu and Kashmir. The report is expected to recommend measures to address internal grievances, strengthen accountability and restore cohesion within the party ahead of future political challenges.
“With the field exercise now complete, all eyes are on the Congress high command, which will take a final call on the panel’s recommendations after examining its report,” a senior leader said, adding “until concrete action follows, we are unconvinced that the exercise will produce any meaningful outcome about the high-profile fact-finding. It is yet to be seen whether the mission was seriously intended to resolve the crisis or merely buy time amid deepening factional divisions within the party”.
