Early Times Report
Jammu, June 13: The appointment of Ghulam Nabi Azad and Kamal Nath as AICC general secretaries and incharge of election-bound Uttar Pradesh and Punjab respectively has put a temporary full stop on speculations over the replacement of Ambika Soni as party incharge J&K affairs.
Even as the Congress high command has virtually sidelined Ambika Soni by keeping her away from interference in Punjab, which is going to polls early next year, her supporters in J&K have a sigh of relief that she would now continue as incharge general secretary, J&K affairs.
Earlier, speculations were agog that Ambika would be made general secretary incharge of Punjab as she was already appointed campaign incharge for the state last year. According to sources in Ambika Soni camp here, she was even projecting her name as chief ministerial candidate in place of Capt Amrinder Singh. Her this aspiration cost her heavily and her name was rejected even for inchage general secretary of Punjab as Capt Amrinder and his lobby strongly pleaded before the party high command that her interference would severely damage Congress prospects in the state.
However, on the other hand, J&K Congressmen having allegiance with Ambika Soni, are feeling relieved over the development. These Congressmen include a 'senior' PCC functionary, who had apprehensions that with Ambika's replacement, the camp of Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was alleged to be close to a faction of dissidents, would get strengthened, sources explained.
On the other hand, sources added, the middle rung Congressmen of Azad faction in Jammu and Kashmir, who were exerting pressure on PCC president G A Mir for their adjustment in PCC, were now looking for their appointment as election observers in Uttar Pradesh.
Thus, the high command decision of ignoring Ambika Soni has turned to be a boon for her supporters in J&K .
the PCC president.
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