Early Times Report
JAMMU, Oct 17: A fresh controversy has hit the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir after veteran leader and former minister Yogesh Sawhney was left without a district in the allotment of observers for the party’s “Vote Bachao-Desh Bachao” campaign, even though his name was on the original list.
On Friday, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K C Venugopal released a list of 208 observers for the campaign across the country. Three leaders from Jammu and Kashmir were named: Firoze Khan at serial number 76, Yogesh Sawhney at 178 and Abid Kashmiri at 205. When districts were allotted to the observers today, Firoze Khan and Abid Kashmiri were assigned theirs, but Sawhney’s name did not figure in the allotment.
The omission has raised eyebrows within party circles, given his seniority.
The episode has revived discontent over how the party has treated Jammu-based leader When districts were allotted to the observers today, Firoze Khan and Abid Kashmiri were assigned theirs, but Yogesh Sawhney’s name did not figure in the allotment. The omission has raised eyebrows within party circles, given his seniority.
Sources further claimed the party had initially signalled that names would be drawn from all communities across the Union Territory to reinforce its secular credentials, but that this approach was quietly dropped. The interview process, they said, had concluded two days earlier.
The sources also alleged that some of the shortlisted candidates face allegations of misconduct and financial irregularities. These claims have not been independently verified, and no names or documents were cited. The Congress has not yet commented on the allotment or the allegations. | 