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| Mir ready to join Congress after 73rd amendment | | Catch 22 for Cong, AJKPC | | Siddharth Sadralia
Jammu, Oct 13: While a strong difference has surfaced between the Congress and National Conference, both being in coalition running the state of affairs, a particular aspect related to All Jammu and Kashmir Panchyat Conference's agenda earlier not to join or support any political party until their demands are met has started showing up new face. Putting to rest all rumors, the AJKPC chairman Shafiq Mir after his recent stint with Ali Mohammad Sagar and Viqar Ahmed at Poonch meet has made it clear that he alongwith his 40 to 50 supporters from the Conference are joining the Congress, but waiting for the ripe time. "Yes, I have got a call form All India Congress Committee general secretary Rahul Gandhi with an offer to join Congress and I am ready to do so provided the basic demand of our Conference for introducing 73rd amendment is met with," said AJKPC chief Shafiq Mir while talking to Early times.
He said that since there is a proposal for him directly from the central Congress leadership to join the cadre, he along with his supporters intends to do so, but are waiting to watch the temperament of the state Congress in coalition with National Conference that has come clear on its stand on incorporation of 73rd amendment.
It is pertinent to mention here that at a recent Poonch address by the coalition leaders, Shafiq Mir making good use of the occasion to announce his Conference demand for implementation of 73rd amendment regarding Panchayati Raj in the state of Jammu and Kashmir said that while the coalition has conducted the elections of Panchayats , but is still depriving it of its promise to bring in constitutional change for 73rd amendment.
Panchayati Raj minister Ali Mohammad Sagar of National Conference came back with a rebuttal openly refusing saying that the empowerment of PRIs in the state of Jammu and Kashmir was not possible until and unless 73rd amendment of Indian constitution is not implemented in the state.
Though Sagar's reciprocation came for Shafiq Mir's demand, the senior Congress minister Vikar Rasool Wani was also present on the occasion who exercised control and did not speak on the issue.
Shafiq Mir who though made it clear to Early Times about his joining the Congress at the right time when queried as to how he would be expressing his views over Congress' silence on the issue which has 73rd amendment mandated in its schedule said, "While they are lingering on the issue, so am I. I will join the Congress, but not before the state government brings in constitutional amendment to incorporate 73rd amendment".
Mir informed that he was called in for a serious thought for joining Congress by JKPCC chief Saif-ud-din Soz at PHE minister Sham Lal's residence where he was made known about all India Congress committee general secretary Rahul Gandhi's wish for him to join the Congress.
How much far reaching impact does Mir's stand and Congress's stubbornness would go along with general as well as assembly election very much in sight, the issue seems to hinge on uncertainties.
While NC has clarified its position, now the ball is in court of Congress to clear its stand on it, the AJKPC chairman said.
Mir joining Congress is being seen as a key player in consolidating Congress cadre in state as he supports big command over a large chunk of panchs and sarpanchs in the state. |
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