 Early Times Report
Jammu, June 21: The three-member inquiry committee constituted by All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday held extensive consultations with leaders from rival factions of the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir in an effort to assess allegations of factionalism and anti-party activities within the party's state unit.
According to party sources, the committee spent several hours interacting with leaders representing both the dissident camp and the incumbent Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) leadership headed by J&K Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra.
Sources said the panel gave a patient hearing to all stakeholders and sought their views on the organisational functioning of the party, internal coordination, leadership issues, and the prevailing political situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Members of the committee reportedly assured party leaders that their observations and concerns would be conveyed to the party high command.
Among those who interacted with the inquiry panel were senior Congress leader and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Vikar Rasool Wani and former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, both of whom are considered prominent faces of the dissident group. The leaders are understood to have presented their perspective on the functioning of the party and highlighted issues they believe require urgent attent “The panel is expected to compile its findings after completing consultations with leaders from various districts and organisational wings of the party. The report will subsequently be submitted to the Congress high command, which is likely to take a final call on measures aimed at restoring unity and strengthening the organisation in Jammu and Kashmir.”
In addition to one-on-one interactions with several senior leaders, the committee also convened a meeting attended by former ministers, ex-legislators, office-bearers and senior party functionaries from different regions of the Union Territory. Participants were invited to share their assessment of the party's organisational structure, electoral preparedness and strategies for strengthening the Congress ahead of future political challenges.
The visit of the inquiry panel assumes significance as it comes amid persistent reports of internal differences within the J&K Congress unit. The committee was constituted by the AICC following complaints from a section of party leaders regarding alleged factionalism and organisational issues in the Pradesh Congress Committee.
Sources said the panel is expected to compile its findings after completing consultations with leaders from various districts and organisational wings of the party. The report will subsequently be submitted to the Congress high command, which is likely to take a final call on measures aimed at restoring unity and strengthening the organisation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Party insiders said the central leadership is keen to resolve internal differences and ensure greater cohesion within the state unit as the Congress seeks to consolidate its political position in the Union Territory. | 