Coalition cracks widen in J&K

Srinagar, Oct 14: The tension between ruling alliance partners in Jammu & Kashmir has escalated, with the J&K unit of the Congress on Tuesday submitting a ‘scathing’ report to the party high command against its ally, the National Conference (NC), over “reneging” on its “commitment” to offer the party a “safe seat” in the Rajya Sabha elections, “violating” the principles of coalition dharma, and “sidelining” its MLAs in the decision-making process.
Sources said that the detailed report is based on the views and opinions of party leaders over “betrayal” by NC with the Congress leadership in the Rajya Sabha polls and a “violation” of coalition ethics by the National Conference over the past one year.
“The high command has been informed that the party leadership in Jammu and Kashmir is anguished over the backtracking of commitment by the National Conference leadership with senior leader Sonia Gandhi over Rajya Sabha polls ,” they said, adding that the high command has also been told there is mounting pressure on the PCC leadership to pull-out from the government.
The report also contains details how the National Conference has turned a “deaf ear” to the party’s suggestion of forming a coordination committee for the smooth functioning of the coalition.
It also accuses National Conference of sidelining Congress MLAs in decision-making process and governance.
Sources disclosed that Congress unit of J&K has also given its feedback to the party high command about voting in Rajya Sabha polls as well as the party’s strategy in bye-elections.
“The high command will take a final call on the party’s strategy for the Rajya Sabha polls as well as the by-elections for Budgam and Nagrota seats,” they said, adding that the party high command would also take a call on the party’s future course of action in J&K
The tension between ruling alliance partners erupted after National Conference refused to offer a ‘safe’ seat to Congress in Rajya Sabha polls. The latter refused to contest the ‘riskier’ seat.
The Congress leadership claims that NC president Farooq Abdullah himself had assured a ‘safe’ seat to the party senior leader Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi. However, they claim, Omar Abdullah later denied of making any such offer to the party during his meeting with party MP and J&K incharge Syed Nasir Hussain. (KNO)