Early Times Report
Jammu, June 18: Discontent is mounting within the Congress as senior leaders express frustration over the continued delay in the constitution of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC). Nearly a year after Tariq Hamid Karra was appointed president of the Jammu and Kashmir Congress on August 16, 2024, the executive body of the PCC remains unformed — a delay widely attributed to persistent factionalism and internal power tussles. Party insiders say that the lack of a structured leadership team has left the organization in a state of disarray at a critical political juncture, with the assembly elections anticipated in the near future. Several leaders, including district and block-level functionaries, have privately voiced concern that the delay is affecting coordination, planning, and the party’s grassroots mobilization efforts. “Tariq Karra’s appointment had raised hopes for re-energizing the party’s cadre, but the absence of an organized executive has stalled momentum,” said a senior Congress leader on condition of anonymity. “Indecision and infigh Tariq Karra’s appointment had raised hopes for re-energizing the party’s cadre. The absence of an organized executive has stalled momentum. Indecision and infighting are costing the party valuable time. The national leadership of the Congress is aware of the growing resentment in the J&K. ing are costing the party valuable time.” Sources within the party indicate that Karra has struggled to strike a balance between competing factions, each lobbying for a greater share in the proposed executive committee. Efforts to accommodate regional and community representation have further complicated the process. This vacuum in organizational structure has also given rise to doubts about the party’s preparedness to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and regional players such as the National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party, both of which have already intensified their electoral activities. Some Congress workers have even warned that unless immediate steps are taken to constitute the PCC and end the internal drift, the party could face erosion of support in key constituencies. The national leadership of the Congress is reportedly aware of the growing resentment in the J&K unit but has so far refrained from intervening publicly. However, insiders suggest that if the deadlock continues, the high command may be forced to step in to resolve the impasse. |