Congress faces ‘embarrassment’ as Omar declares it ‘not part of govt’

Grand-old party distances itself from Cabinet decision amid reservation row

Jammu: The Congress party found itself in an embarrassing position today after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that “it (Congress) was not a part of the government.”
The Congress is the alliance partner of the ruling National Conference in the Omar Abdullah-led government and supports the government from the outside. It, however, does not hold any Cabinet position.
Local Congress leaders, however, dismissed any speculation of discord between the two parties, claiming the Chief Minister’s remarks were intended to shield the Congress from potential criticism at the national level amid the ongoing controversy over the reservation policy.
“There is nothing wrong with the statement. We are not part of the Cabinet or the government but support it from the outside. There are no differences between the two parties. The Chief Minister’s comments should be understood in their true context—he made them to prevent any awkward situation for the Congress at the national level, especially with the BJP likely to exploit the controversy to claim the Congress opposes reservation in J&K,” said Ravinder Sharma, Congress spokesperson, while speaking to The News Now.
The Congress leader said there was virtually no elected government in Jammu and Kashmir till date. “There is currently dual control over the administration, with the Centre exercising authority through the Lieutenant Governor. We will take responsibility for government and Cabinet decisions only when we become an integral part of it,” Sharma said.
Pertinently, top Congress leaders, including President Mallikarjun Kharge, recently clarified that the party had not endorsed the resolution on restoration of Article 370 in J&K Assembly (as being demanded by the National Conference) and suggested that the resolution was primarily focused on the restoration of statehood.
Although the Congress holds a minor role in the coalition, with just six MLAs in the 90-member Assembly, it distanced itself from the resolution immediately after the assembly session with Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hamid Karra’s stating that the resolution passed by the government made no mention of statehood or Article 370 that left the NC leadership embarrassed and red-faced.
Reacting to the statements of Congress leaders, Omar said it was a “compulsion” for the Congress to try to dilute the resolution, "but nothing can be diluted because of what they say as the J-K assembly has passed it with an overwhelming majority".

Updated On 11/23/2024 1:59:48 AM