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| NC facing internal crisis, party in complete disarray | | Old guards gasping for space | | Gopal Gupta
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Aug 7: Stung by pro-New Delhi stance of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led coalition government, several stalwarts of National Conference (NC) have begun feeling suffocated and are gasping for democratic space within the party which according to them once existed in the party.
Fearful of consequences, these stalwarts prefer anonymity and speak out at length about how democratic space within the party has been dwindling. What to talk of alleged scams and scandals which are widely publicized in the selected newspapers, these senior politicians have been briefing former Chief Minister and President of National Conference (NC) Dr.Farooq Abdullah even about trivial happenings both within the coalition and the party. But to no avail.
In the recent spate of events, a local daily in Kashmir in one of its reports cited instances of ministers in ruling coalition amassing wealth outside the country. Chief Minister and his coalition government which has for the last one and half year hardly taken cognizance of any report published in both local and national dailies acted promptly ordering a Vigilance probe into the report. It went to the extent of saying that reporter and editor of that local daily would be asked to reveal names of the ministers.
But if the vigilance sources are to be believed, the probe is yet to be officially launched. No FIR has been lodged neither has any inquiry been made from the newspaper which had clearly referred to some 'top' sources for providing them the information. Report was perceived as direct attack on two senior most National Conference (NC) ministers and three Congress leaders. The three congress ministers are known more for being close to Union Health Minister and former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Report did not change anything for congress but bought a political storm in National Conference (NC). Although the report had hinted at ministers and preferred not to name them, all knew who were being targeted. A National Conference (NC) Leader informed that the issue did not die but was raised by a Member Parliament (MP) of National Conference during the working committee meeting which was held on July 22.
He said that the curious MP wanted to know the source who was vomiting such vital and damaging information to a particular newspaper in Kashmir valley and while pointing towards chaos and political disaster which such reports can lead to, the MP urged party president and the Chief Minister to take serious note of such happenings. NC leader further informed that the same MP also raised issue of being unable to meet Chief Minister despite repeatedly seeking an appointment.
Instead of being heard, the leader informed that he was reprimanded by high command and advised not to raise unnecessary issues. "Please correct the fact and then speak. You should not raise issues without verifying the facts," the MP was told. Taken aback, another NC leader said that the particular MP did talk of humiliation suffered by him when he was snubbed for speaking something which was in the interest of party.
NC leaders cited this instance to explain how undemocratic the party has gone in recent times and as a result; while it is coalition which has failed to tackle the situation in Kashmir valley, aftereffects of present situation are going to spell doom on National Conference. Early Times did make efforts to reach to the particular MP but his New Delhi number mobile was switched off throughout the day.
If these leaders negate any dissention in the party in one breath; in the same breath, they accept that things are not as cordial as they may appear to be. They say that every killing is taking the party further away from commoners across Kashmir valley while adding that official tone and tenor while dealing with this fragile situation is adding to the alienation.
They do accept that people have begun murmuring about Omar being New Delhi's man in Jammu and Kashmir. National Conference once represented 'aspirations and belief" of people of Kashmir valley but now is largely seen as "weak political unit" with extremely tactless thinking prowess and working under the direct orders of Union Home Ministry.
Leaders maintain that no high powered group can take risk of directly confronting the young and angry brigade of stone throwers. They maintain that mature advice does the trick and it is what wise men prescribe when you are in the kind of situation and crisis which Omar Abdullah government is facing.
Gagging media both electronic and print alongside putting toddlers, school and college going children behind the bars has added to the already worsening situation, accept the leaders. They admit that NC neither has a pied piper nor a leader who would command respect among the young and old across the Kashmir.
"Farooq Sahab does not want his son and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to be remembered as failure. Putrmoh has taken him over and he is unlikely to step-in to resurrect the sinking ship," said an NC leader. |
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