 Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 14: Infighting in the Jammu and Kashmir Congress intensified after the worst-ever defeat of the party in this part of the country. First time since 1947 Congress has secured the lowest-ever tally of six seats in the House of 90. Earlier the lowest tally was seven in the year 1996 assembly elections which were held after Governor rule in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
It is the first time in the history of the Congress that the party got only one seat in Jammu province.
In the 1996 Assembly elections when Congress got only seven seats, the party candidates won from Nowshera, Chhamb, Kalakote, and Billawar.
The party is facing an existential crisis following its worst-ever defeat in the recent Assembly elections. Once a dominant force in the region, the party is now grappling with internal strife, as grassroots leaders accuse senior members of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) of prioritizing personal and monetary gains over the party's interests.
Sources said that some young leaders have written letters to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party leader Rahul Gandhi to expose the misdeeds of senior leaders.
Party insiders claim that senior JKPCC leaders focused on securing personal benefits rather than supporting part Infighting in the Jammu and Kashmir Congress has intensified after the worst-ever defeat of the party in the recently held assembly elections.
It's for the first time since 1947 that Congress has secured the lowest-ever tally of six seats in the House of 90.
It is the first time in the history of the Congress that the party has got only one seat in Jammu region.
Some young leaders have written letters to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party leader Rahul Gandhi to expose the misdeeds of senior leaders.
Grassroots workers and local leaders blame the senior leadership for the debacle, citing the party's abysmal performance in the Jammu region, where it won only one of 43 Assembly seats. In contrast, the BJP secured 29 seats.
Dissenting leaders point to long-standing issues of corruption within the JKPCC, including misused funds allocated for the Congress's participation in the Bharat Jodo Yatra. They also criticize the poor selection of candidates, alleging that senior JKPCC functionaries misled the party's top leadership by recommending weak candidates.
Sources said that some leaders demand an internal probe to expose corrupt elements within the party. They argue that unless these "black sheep" are removed, Congress will continue its downward spiral and face near extinction in the region.
The National Conference (NC) made a strong comeback, winning 42 out of 52 seats contested. The Congress managed to win only six seats, with just one victory in the Jammu region. With the NC securing support from four victorious Independent candidates, the Congress's role in the new government is expected to be minimal. | 