 Early Times Report
Jammu, June 7: The infighting within the Jammu and Kashmir Congress took a dramatic turn on Sunday after former Deputy Chief Minister and senior dissident leader Tara Chand claimed that his life was under threat while addressing a public rally in his home constituency of Khour.
Tara Chand, who has emerged as one of the prominent faces of the dissident camp in the party along with former Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Vikar Rasool Wani, made the startling revelation during a gathering of party workers and supporters.
Addressing the rally, Tara Chand said, “I didn’t want to reveal this thing, but as a leader it is my duty to inform my supporters that my life is under threat.”
The statement comes amid escalating tensions within the Jammu and Kashmir Congress, where a section of senior leaders has openly challenged the leadership of incumbent JKPCC president Tariq Hamid Karra.
Over the past several weeks, the dissident camp has been holding meetings and public programmes across Jammu and Kashmir, alleging neglect of senior leaders and workers and raising concerns over the functioning of the party's state unit.
Tara Chand and Vikar Rasool Wani have been spearheading a campaign against the present leadership, accusing it of failing to strengthen the organisation and address the concerns of p I didn’t want to reveal this, but as a leader it is my duty to inform my supporters that my life is under threat.
The statement comes amid escalating tensions within the Jammu and Kashmir Congress.
Tara Chand’s remarks have added a new dimension to the ongoing political turmoil in the party.
Tara Chand’s latest statement can put additional pressure on the party high command, which is already grappling with efforts to contain the widening rift between rival factions.
While Tara Chand did not elaborate on the nature of the threat or identify any individual or group behind it, his remarks have added a new dimension to the ongoing political turmoil in the party.
The Congress leadership has yet to officially respond to Tara Chand's claim. However, the development is expected to further intensify the crisis facing the party in Jammu and Kashmir, where internal differences have increasingly spilled into the public domain.
Political observers believe that the latest statement by the veteran Congress leader could put additional pressure on the party high command, which is already grappling with efforts to contain the widening rift between rival factions ahead of crucial organisational and political challenges in the Union Territory.
The dissident leaders have repeatedly maintained that their campaign is aimed at strengthening the party and ensuring greater participation of grassroots workers in decision-making, while supporters of the current leadership have dismissed the criticism as factional politics.
With both camps continuing to trade charges and hold parallel political engagements, the Congress appears to be facing one of its most serious internal crises in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years. | 