Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 17: Amid growing resentment within the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Congress over the party’s historic rout in the 2024 Assembly elections, senior leaders on Thursday called for immediate implementation of the recommendations made by the party’s internal fact-finding committee to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the electoral disaster.
During a high-level interaction with newly appointed All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary and in-charge for J&K and Ladakh, Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain, the majority of party leaders expressed frustration over the lack of accountability and demanded that the individuals responsible for “mishandling” the Assembly polls be named and removed from key positions.
Highly placed sources said that during the closed-door meeting, several leaders pointed fingers at senior functionaries of the party, accusing them of mismanaging the ticket distribution process. These alleged missteps, they argued, directly contributed to the Congress’s worst-ever performance in the history of J&K elections.
This marked Dr. Hussain’s first official visit to the Union Territory since his appointment on February 14, replacing Bharatsinh Solanki, who was removed following the party’s humiliating defeat. Under Solanki’s leadership, the Congress managed to win only a single seat — the Rajouri constituency — out of the 90 in the newly constituted J&K Legislative Assembly.
Solanki was widely criticized for favouring personal and monetary interests over organizational priorities and is believed to have played a central role in the flawed ticket distribution process.
Dr. Hussain, who is on a three-day visit aimed at reviving the party’s fortunes in the region, spent the day gathering feedback on the party’s current state, internal divisions, and the factors contributing to its electoral collapse. He also reviewed the findings of the fact-finding panel formed by JKPCC chief Tariq Hameed Karra on October 18 last year.
According to sources, the committee had clearly flagged the “stubborn and autocratic approach” of certain senior leaders as a major reason behind the loss of at least six Assembly segments in the Jammu region. However, despite the clarity of the report’s findings, the Congress high command has so far failed to initiate any disciplinary or corrective action.
On Friday, Dr. Hussain is scheduled to hold a series of meetings with block presidents and senior leaders to assess the party’s grassroots preparedness for the long-delayed Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies elections. The sessions are expected to play a crucial role in charting a roadmap for rebuilding the party’s organizational strength and reconnecting with the electorate.
The mood within the party remains tense, as rank-and-file leaders continue to demand transparency, introspection, and accountability before moving forward. |
