Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 27: The Congress high command is likely to take up the issue of settlement of refugees with National Conference. According to sources, the party wants the NC to give up its resistance on this issue and settle it before the polls are announced.
"The party high command has been told about the problem and also its political implications. Having taken some beating after the Kishtwar incident, the Congress wants to dust off the beating to take advantage in the forthcoming assembly elections especially in Jammu, a senior Congress leader said.
The State Congress leaders have been taking up this issue for quite some time with the Central leadership and have even met with the Prime Minister, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the Home Minister.
The State unit has told the central leadership that NC is blocking the move of settling this issue for political reasons and this is hitting the party.
"Giving rights to refuges who have been settled here since 1947 is an humanitarian issue and needs to be solved. But NC, living up to Sheikh Abdullah's legacy is denying it to them. Congress should also hit back at the NC and force it accept Cong view point, as our party too has political goals and ideology," said a Cong Cabinet Minister, wishing not to be named.
Cong high command has been told by the state unit leadership that by making or rather forcing NC to agree to their demand of refugees will send a signal to the voters especially in Jammu region that party cares about their concerns.
"BJP had been raking up this issue for quite some time but failed to settle it while in power. Congress high command can force NC as it cannot survive without their support now and in future.," said a Minister.
The next elections, which can happen anytime, are crucial for the party as its popularity graph in dipping everywhere, except in Jammu, and party is hoping to emerge as the single largest party. |
