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Coalition cracks turn violent: Cong MLA alleges attack by NC workers

Early Times Report

Jammu, July 3: The simmering tensions between the ruling coalition partners in Jammu and Kashmir—the National Conference (NC) and the Congress—spilled out of the political arena and into an alleged physical confrontation on Friday after Congress MLA from Bandipora Nizam-ud-Din Bhat accused National Conference workers of attacking him during an official review meeting in north Kashmir. The incident, which occurred in the Naidkhai area of Bandipora district, has exposed widening cracks within the NC-Congress alliance, with the Congress legislator warning that such incidents could adversely affect the coalition if immediate action is not taken.
Addressing reporters after the incident, Bhat alleged that Jalal Akbar Lone, brother of Sonawari National Conference MLA Hilal Akbar Lone, along with his supporters, barged into the meeting venue, vandalised the premises and attempted to intimidate government officials and elected representatives.
According to Bhat, he was chairing an official review meeting to assess the progress of various developmental projects, including expenditure incurred on a sports stadium and other works, when some participants objected to the discussion and staged a walkout. He alleged that they later returned with a group of supporters led by Jalal Akbar Lone, forcibly entered the meeting hall, damaged doors and windowpanes, created chaos and allegedly assaulted him in an attempt to derail the proceedings.
The Congress MLA claimed the disruption was a deliberate attempt to prevent scrutiny of developmental works and utilisation of public funds in the block.
He alleged that he had sought details regarding the expenditure of nearly Rs 2 crore sanctioned for rural development works over the past one-and-a-half years, and that the violence was intended to stop officials from presenting records related to the projects.
Bhat further alleged that repeated interference by the group had adversely affected the functioning of the local administration, claiming that several officials had even sought transfers from the block due to persistent pressure and intimidation.
Seeking the personal intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Bhat urged the National Conference leadership to take immediate action against those involved.
“If the Chief Minister and the National Conference fail to act and rein in their workers, it will inevitably impact the Congress-National Conference alliance,” he said, adding that obstructing government work and attacking a public representative constituted a serious offence warranting strict legal action.
The alleged attack assumes political significance as it marks a rare instance where differences between the two coalition partners have escalated beyond a war of words into an alleged physical confrontation.
There was no immediate response from the National Conference or the accused persons to the allegations at the time of filing this report.