Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
Srinagar, July 18: The decision of Congress high command to include new entrant Tariq Karra as permanent invitee in its working committee, the party's highest decision-making body, has not gone well with most of the leaders and party workers in the state, who see it as an attempt to undermine the sacrifices of those who have been loyal to the party for decades.
Karra, who joined Congress in February 2017, had left the party leadership red faced during his first press conference when he attacked the army as an institution terming Army chief Bipin Rawat's statement regarding stone-pelters as 'politically motivated.'
"Congress had the best chance to wrestle back two Parliament seats from the BJP in Jammu in coming Lok Sabha polls. However, such decisions (including Karra as permanent invitee) can have negative impact on the party's image in Jammu region. He (Karra) has the image of a soft separatist and he always preaches hatred against the country," a senior Congress leader, who wished anonymity, said.
"For eight years Karra indulged in bickering within the PDP and his image of wrangler will harm the Congress. He is a political liability," he said. "The party high command should have taken the ground realities into consideration before taking such a decision. No leader or worker in the state, especially in Jammu region, is ready to digest such a decision. Karra has no contribution in the party for which he has been elevated."
Sources said ever since Karra joined the Congress earlier last year, an internal war is going on within the party. "While Karra aspires to become the state President, the incumbent G A Mir is losing his grip over the party affairs fast due to his incompetence. The state unit was already divided into two factions with one owing allegiance to Mir and the other to former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. The entry of Karra has made the situation more complex," they said.
"Some of the state leaders have already conveyed their displeasure to the Congress high command over giving undue importance to Karra in the party affairs. Karra has lost his relevance in Kashmir politics and he is trying to keep himself relevant by his anti-India statements. Congress has done a blunder by elevating him," they added.
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