Early Times Report JAMMU, June 30: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah has decided to take the reins of the party especially after the controversy rocked by a statement about Sajjad Lone. According to the party sources, the press statement was issued without taking the consent of the party leaders. "Senior leader like Mohammad Shafi Uri, Shareef-ud-din Shariq and Mir Saifullah told Farooq Abdullah that senior politicians, who are trying to create a rift in the party, asked the party spokesperson to issue the statement against Sajjad on their behalf. It's reflective of the attempt to weakening the party and further create hostile atmosphere for it in the valley," said a senior NC leader. The issue was discussed in the core group meeting of the party chaired by Dr Farooq Abdullah. The senior leadership of the party, have been asking the senior Abdullah to take full control of the party as the coterie of the Omar Abdullah, which has already brought down the party to just 15-day, is again at it to further weaken the party. "This coterie of the Omar Abdullah first completely sidelined the party and whatever credible leadership is left, it is being also targeted and not only that, even a hostile atmosphere is being created against them. Everyone knows what Sajjad is and what he capable of doing but even then we are made his target, which can't be accepted," said a senior party leader, privy to the development. According to the sources, the senior Abdullah has told the party leadership to convene a full meeting of all the MLAs and senior leaders to chart out further course of the action. Sources said he had also indicated that from now on any statement or decision will not be taken without his approval or without showing him the content. "NC leadership knows that only Farooq can take on the Mufti and he is the only one who can sail the party when it is in opposition," said the senior NC leader |