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| Cong rift: High command suspends two little-known leaders, big guns untouched | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, July 2: Exactly nine days after the Congress-appointed fact-finding committee concluded its three-day exercise in Srinagar, the party high command on Thursday initiated disciplinary action by suspending two Jammu and Kashmir leaders from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress over alleged anti-party activities. However, no action has so far been taken against the senior dissident leaders whose public criticism of the party leadership had triggered the internal inquiry.
According to a communication issued by the All India Congress Committee (AICC), Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge approved the suspension of AICC members Mohammad Anwar Bhat and Bashir Ahmed Khan with immediate effect.
"The Hon'ble Congress President has approved the suspension of the AICC members from Jammu and Kashmir from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress with immediate effect due to their anti-party activities in the state," the AICC communication stated.
The party, however, did not specify the allegations against the two leaders or explain the circumstances that led to the disciplinary action.
Sources within the Congress said Mohammad Anwar Bhat has remained largely inactive in party affairs for several years, while Bashir Ahmed Khan has maintained a relatively low organisational profile. They claimed that many party workers were unfamiliar with Khan's role in the organisation.
The suspensions come against the backdrop of prolonged factionalism within the Jammu and Kashmir Congress. Over the past several months, the party high command has reportedly received repeated complaints alleging indiscipline, deviation from the party line, and public criticism of organisational decisions by some leaders.
The disciplinary action follows the completion of the fact-finding committee's visit to Srinagar during the last week of June. The three-member panel spent three days interacting with more than 70 party leaders, including former ministers, former legislators, office-bearers of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), and representatives of various frontal organisations.
Leaders from across Jammu and Kashmir were invited to present their views on the prevailing factionalism, organisational issues, and allegations of indiscipline. According to sources, the committee held both individual and group interactions before returning to New Delhi to submit its findings to the party leadership.
The committee was constituted on June 12 after dissident leaders launched an aggressive campaign against Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hamid Karra, exposing deep divisions within the party.
Headed by senior Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil, the panel also comprises Dr Amar Singh and Rafeek Khan. It was tasked with examining complaints related to indiscipline and activities allegedly detrimental to the party's interests in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, on June 9, the Congress high command had summoned five senior Jammu and Kashmir leaders to New Delhi in an effort to defuse the growing internal crisis.
Those called for consultations included AICC General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir, JKPCC president Tariq Hamid Karra, JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla, former JKPCC president Vikar Rasool Wani, and former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, following a series of public exchanges that highlighted the widening rift within the party's Jammu and Kashmir unit.
With Thursday's suspensions, Congress has initiated disciplinary action following the inquiry. However, political observers and party workers are now watching closely to see whether the high command also acts against senior leaders accused of publicly challenging the party leadership during the recent factional dispute. |
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