Early Times Report
Jammu, June 10: Despite the Congress high command directing rival factions in the Jammu and Kashmir unit to end their public feud and work towards strengthening the organisation, leaders from both camps reportedly used a key meeting in New Delhi to present evidence against each other before the party leadership. Highly placed sources said that during the nearly two-hour-long meeting held on Monday evening, senior leaders from the Union Territory highlighted instances of indiscipline and public criticism exchanged between the rival groups. According to sources, a video recording of a public function organised by former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand in the Jourian area of the Chhamb Assembly constituency in May was played before All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal. The video allegedly contained provocative and derogatory remarks directed at Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hamid Karra. Sources said the footage drew a strong reaction from Venugopal, who is understood to have expressed serious concern over the deteri Footage drew a strong reaction from Venugopal, who is understood to have expressed serious concern over the deteriorating internal situation in the party’s J&K unit. He reportedly warned leaders against making personal attacks or derogatory comments against fellow party members in public. rating internal situation in the party's J&K unit. He reportedly warned leaders against making personal attacks or derogatory comments against fellow party members in public. During the meeting, the Congress leadership is said to have conveyed that public criticism of senior party functionaries would not be tolerated and that such conduct undermines the party's discipline and collective leadership. According to sources, Venugopal made it clear that any disrespect shown to senior Congress leaders would be viewed seriously by the high command. He also reiterated the leadership's directive that all factions must refrain from airing internal differences in public and instead focus on strengthening the organisation ahead of upcoming political challenges. The meeting was convened as part of the Congress leadership's efforts to defuse growing factionalism within the Jammu and Kashmir unit, where rival camps have been engaged in a bitter war of words over the past several weeks. Senior leaders were reportedly told to maintain unity and ensure that organisational interests take precedence over personal and factional rivalries. |