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| Coalition cracks deepen: Karra writes to CM over alleged assault on Cong MLA | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, July 4: Signs of growing strain within the ruling National Conference (NC)-Congress coalition in Jammu and Kashmir became more pronounced on Saturday, with Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra writing to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, seeking his personal intervention over the alleged assault on Congress MLA Nizam-ud-Din Bhat by National Conference workers in Bandipora.
The letter comes a day after Bhat, the Congress legislator from Bandipora, alleged that he was attacked by National Conference workers during a public meeting, triggering a fresh political row between the two coalition partners.
Expressing serious concern over the incident, Karra described the alleged assault as a direct affront to democratic values and the spirit of "coalition dharma," and called for a fair and impartial investigation along with strict action against those responsible.
According to Karra, the alleged attack was carried out by National Conference workers led by Jalal Akbar Lone, the younger brother of Sonawari MLA Hilal Akbar Lone.
While political disagreements are a natural part of a vibrant democracy, Karra said there could be no justification for intimidation, violence or attempts to physically target elected representatives.
He maintained that the incident assumes greater significance because it allegedly involved workers of a party that shares power with the Congress in the Union Territory.
"The incident raises serious questions about mutual respect, political tolerance and the functioning of the coalition," Karra is understood to have stated in his communication to the Chief Minister.
The Congress leader also expressed displeasure over a press conference reportedly addressed by National Conference workers after the incident, alleging that attempts to defend or justify the alleged assault had only aggravated the situation and sent an inappropriate message regarding democratic political conduct.
In his letter, Karra urged Omar Abdullah to personally intervene to ensure an impartial inquiry into the incident and take exemplary action against those found responsible.
He observed that elected representatives in Jammu and Kashmir are already functioning within a unique dual administrative framework and stressed that all political parties, particularly coalition partners, must work together to uphold democratic values and safeguard the dignity of public institutions.
Karra also voiced hope that the Chief Minister's timely intervention would help restore confidence among coalition partners and reinforce the principles of coalition governance.
He cautioned that recurrence of such incidents, or any attempt to defend them, could adversely affect the smooth functioning of the ruling alliance and undermine the public mandate entrusted to it.
The latest development has further exposed the widening cracks within the NC-Congress coalition, which has witnessed increasing public disagreements between leaders of the two parties in recent weeks over a range of political and governance issues. The alleged attack on a Congress legislator has now added a fresh dimension to the growing unease within the alliance, prompting the Congress leadership to seek direct intervention from the Chief Minister. |
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