Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 17: The Congress high command is likely to undertake a major organisational reshuffle in its Jammu and Kashmir unit after the conclusion of Assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory. Highly placed sources said the party leadership is awaiting the results from Assam, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, and Puducherry before initiating significant changes within the J&K unit. As reported earlier, discontent has been steadily mounting within the party, with several senior leaders expressing frustration over the prolonged delay in the constitution of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC). Nearly 18 months after Tariq Hamid Karra was appointed president of the Jam mu and Kashmir Congress on August 16, 2024, the PCC executive body remains unformed — a delay widely attributed to persistent factionalism and internal power struggles. Party insiders say the absence of a structured leadership team has left the organisation in disarray at a crucial political juncture, especially with Assembly elections expected in the near future. Several leaders, including district and block-level functionaries, have privately voiced concerns that the delay is hampering coordination, strategic planning, and grassroots mobilisation. The party leadership is awaiting the results from Assam, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, and Puducherry before initiating significant changes within the J&K unit. Discontent has been steadily mounting within the party, with several senior leaders expressing frustration over the prolonged delay in the constitution of the Pradesh Congress Committee. The absence of a structured leadership team has left the organisation in disarray at a crucial political juncture, especially with Assembly elections expected in the near future. Several leaders, including district and block-level functionaries, have privately voiced concerns that the delay is hampering coordination, strategic planning, and grassroots mobilisation. Tariq Karra’s appointment had raised hopes of re-energising the party cadre, but the absence of an organised executive has stalled momentum,” said a senior Congress leader on condition of anonymity. “Indecision and infighting are costing the party valuable time.” Sources within the party indicate that Karra has struggled to strike a balance among competing factions, each vying for a larger share in the proposed executive committee. Efforts to ensure regional and community representation have further complicated the process. The organisational vacuum has also raised questions about the party’s preparedness to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and regional players such as the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, both of which have already intensified their political activities. Some party workers have warned that unless immediate steps are taken to constitute the PCC and end the internal drift, the Congress risks losing ground in key constituencies. While the party’s national leadership is understood to be aware of the growing resentment within the J&K unit, it has so far refrained from public intervention. However, insiders suggest that if the deadlock persists, the high command may be compelled to step in to break the impasse. |