Srinagar |: Tariq Hamid Karra, President J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), on Monday highlighted the lack of a coordination committee among ruling alliance partners in Jammu & Kashmir, which he believes hampers effective consultation between the National Conference (NC) and Congress.
Talking to a local news gathering agency Karra emphasized that such a committee should have been established immediately after the government formation to facilitate discussions on political and administrative issues, including transfers. Although he does not feel sidelined by the NC, he noted that the absence of a coordination mechanism leads to a lack of timely information, often learned through media rather than direct communication. Karra expressed concerns about the governance under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, citing limited powers and the absence of business rules as significant constraints affecting the administration’s effectiveness. He criticized Abdullah’s approach to addressing statehood by writing to various parties instead of directly contacting the Prime Minister, suggesting that a more direct approach would have been more effective. He asserted that the discontent among the people of Jammu & Kashmir must be addressed by the Government of India, as many residents feel like second-class citizens. Karra believes that restoring constitutional guarantees similar to those in other states would alleviate this discontent. He stated that following the Supreme Court’s verdict on Article 370, the only achievable goal for the region is the restoration of complete statehood, akin to that of states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. Karra underscored the Congress party’s pivotal role in the restoration of statehood, arguing that it cannot be achieved without their intervention. He pointed out the party’s significant representation in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, asserting that the Congress has historically been responsible for granting constitutional guarantees to Jammu & Kashmir. He expressed concern over the BJP’s intentions regarding the region, suggesting that their ideological stance poses a threat to the interests of Jammu & Kashmir.
