| Sheikh Abdullah's Birth anniversary: A ritualistic affair for NC..? | | Fading conviction: CM, ministers, MLAs stay away from Jammu function | |
Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 5: Ruling National Conference the leadership of which tires itself claiming it is the biggest and historically evolved party is a doomed political organization on ground. If waywardness and ritualistic approach to celebrating the birth anniversary of late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah ,NC's founder is what the leadership chose to adopt today , it is certainly not only an indication but a confirmation that this party is gone and no more a strong, united and convictional political force. From his own family members -the Abdullah father son duo, to sheikh Mustafa Kamal younger son , no one was present in the Sher-i-Kashmir Bhawan, NC headquarters today to pay tribute to great leader. Barring one, the jumbo team of ministers in the NC stayed away from the official function in Jammu . And from over scores of legislators of the party barely a couple of them, that too from the Upper House deemed it proper to spend some time at what looked like a ritualistic affair , though cadres had managed to assemble a crowd for the occasion.
Late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, who was not only the founder of the party but is also considered to be the tall and towering leader of J&K for more than one reason, is a stalwart on whose name party cashes in on many things politically even decades after his demise. He is an epitome in many respects and in order to keep the legacy of his name alive, the NC in present dispensation announced an ambitious policy SKEWPY for providing jobs to youth in the state. However, it is a different matter that this too was a ritualistic move and has borne no results at all. All this background is to suggest that any day observed or celebrated in his memory is , rather should be the greatest and prestigious day for the leadership as also the high command. But the story at least of today, reflects just a reverse detail.
While Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his coterie (those very close to him), chose to fly down to Srinagar to pay tributes to late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah at his graveyard in Hazratbal, Union Minister and Patron of the party Dr Farooq Abdullah probably remained pre occupied with other 'better' things than to attend the function at Jammu. Surprisingly, almost all the ministers are camping in Jammu these days, Durbar having been shifted to winter capital for a month now. It was only Industries Minister SS Salathia who made himself conspicuous (he being the only minister ) by attending the function at Sher -Kashmir Bhawan. For apparent reasons, he had to be in the chair of chief guest for the occasion. There were a couple of MLCs including senior leader Ajay Sadhotra . However, the functionaries of the provincial committee and few senior leaders like MY Taing, Rashpal Singh, Mushtaq Bhukhari registered their presence.
The matter is not all about the presence or absence of the leaders from the function. It is the unfortunate scene prevalent in state's so called biggest party where stalwarts and even those considering to have remained close associates of Sheikh Abdullah do not bother even for the sake of formality to attend this function.The point also is why should they when the high command doesn't really care about such things…? The buzz word at the Jammu function today among the cadres was CM and 'others' could have managed to attend Jammu function after paying floral tributes at Srinagar. And most ironic aspect of the whole story is while NC was in opposition both Omar Abdullah and DrFarooq Abdullah would make it a point to attend the function, either at Jammu or in Srinagar. But when they are in power, and everything is at their disposal, their conviction and commitment seems to be fading…..a reality which is demoralizing the cadres in both the provinces.
|
|
