Congress not to join cabinet till statehood restoration: Karra

Srinagar, Jul 2: Ahead of the proposed cabinet reshuffle-cum- expansion, Jammu & Kashmir Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra on Thursday said the party will stay out of the cabinet until the restoration of J&K’s statehood.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Karra said ministerial berths were not an issue for the Congress.
“Our issue is statehood. We have made it clear that until statehood is restored, we will not become part of the cabinet,” he said, adding that the party would continue to extend outside support to the National Conference-led government.
He emphasized that the Congress would stand firmly with the government if there was any attempt by the BJP to undermine or destabilize it.
On NC’s protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, Karra said the Congress had launched its campaign for the restoration of statehood a year ago through programmes in Srinagar, Jammu, and Delhi.
“It is a matter of satisfaction that those who were hesitant earlier have now reached the same position from where the Congress started its campaign a year ago,” he said.
Commenting on the debate over possible India-Pakistan talks, Karra said those criticising dialogue should also explain statements made by RSS leaders advocating engagement with Pakistan.
On the annual Amarnath Yatra, Karra said the people of Jammu & Kashmir have always welcomed the pilgrimage and expressed hope that it remains peaceful and incident-free. He added that local communities support the Yatra both out of respect for religious faith and because it provides a significant boost to the region’s economy.
Karra also said repeated paper leaks, particularly the NEET controversy, have badly affected students and parents, creating frustration and eroding confidence in the country’s examination system. (KNO)