Confidence of Cong shaken: Karra
*NC to win all 4 RS seats: Omar
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 22: Amid strained relations between the ruling-National Conference and its coalition partner Congress, the latter today opted out of the meeting called by its coalition partner to discuss its strategy for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections and the autumn session of the Legislative Assembly.
The NC had extended invitations to all legislators of the ruling alliance, including six Congress MLAs, five Independents, and CPI (M) MLA Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, for the meeting held at a local hotel here.
After a three-hour long meeting, president Pradesh Congress Committee Tariq Hamid Karra, told reporters that the meeting remained inconclusive today and will resume tomorrow.
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“The sentiments and suggestions put forth by our legislators are being shared with the high command. It was decided that, keeping in view the sensitivity of some important matters, today’s meeting has been adjourned until tomorrow for further discussions and consultations,” he said.
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Karra said that it would be premature to assume Congress was in a dilemma over voting in the Rajya Sabha polls.
“I would request you not to jump to conclusions. I told you that every member had his opinion and suggestion and it was necessary to apprise the high command about it. Based on our report, we have sought their guidance because central leadership’s involvement and guidance is necessary for us. That is why the meeting remained inconclusive and will resume tomorrow,” he said.
Karra said that due to the developments of the last few days, confidence of the party was understandably shaken. “Consequently, members shared their suggestions and opinions, which have been sent to Delhi for further guidance,” he said.
The rift between the NC and Congress has been widening over the past two weeks, particularly after the NC denied Congress a safe seat in the Rajya Sabha elections. Instead, the NC offered a riskier seat, which Congress declined to contest. The NC also proposed the Nagrota Assembly seat to Congress, which was similarly rejected.
On bypolls, the Congress chief said that Budgam has always been with NC. “In Nagrota, to prevent a BJP victory, the focus was on avoiding division of votes. Upon consulting the Jammu team, it was noted that the NC had more votes than Congress in the previous election; therefore, it was decided to support the NC candidate to keep the BJP at bay,” he added.
In the meantime, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah hoped that the NC would emerge victorious in all four seats in the Rajya Sabha elections. He also urged the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, to stop issuing baseless statements.
On the sidelines of the joint strategy meeting, Omar told reporters, “This session is different from others as elections for the Rajya Sabha are being held, and a strategy was being prepared to secure victory in all the seats,” he said.
“I am thankful to Tarigami and other independents for attending the meeting. With the enthusiasm that can be seen among the NC MLAs and other independents, I am hopeful that NC will secure all four Rajya Sabha seats,” he said.
On Congress’ non-participation in the meeting, Omar said that they did not join as they had their own meeting. “Congress has always maintained that they will not allow the BJP to emerge victorious. Congress has its own system. There is a difference between their party and ours. They have to wait for the party high command’s decision, whereas we take decisions here,” he said.
“The Congress high command cannot be in favour of the BJP,” he said, referring to Congress’s participation in the Rajya Sabha elections. He added that although, at the local level, Congress was ready to contest the bypolls, the high command decided to leave the seat for NC, and therefore, the candidate was announced.
Regarding PDP’s support, the Chief Minister said, “Our leader, Shami Oberoi, met PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti today and requested, on behalf of the party, to support the NC candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections. Earlier, Dr. Farooq Abdullah also spoke with her. Although no decision has been made public by the party yet, they have promised us that a decision will be taken after internal discussions,” he said.
Asked about the statement of Union Minister Giriraj Kishore against Muslims, Omar said that it is a pity to hear such things from a Union Minister like this. “Such statements are issued against Muslims. This is the habit of these people in elections,” he said.
“Then these people say that we represent every Indian. If every Indian is being represented, then the Prime Minister should look at these statements and take action against these Ministers. Otherwise, what signal is going on?”
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