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| Wheelchairs, trolleys meant for VIPs, others to carry patients on their back | | Chib breaks precedence to set one | |
ZAFAR CHOUDHARY
Jammu, July 16: In the post-cabinet-expansion political scenario when Congress is fighting against Congress, the National Conference is fighting against National Conference and both are pitted against each other, here is a silver lining in the dark clouds which can be a model in states where governments are run in coalition.
There is a common sight: the headquarters of any political party are seen buzzing with activity when it is in opposition. The moment it comes in power, the party office becomes a place wearing desolate looks and hosting disappointed people. Reason: the lucky ones find place in ministry and the routine visitors prefer to visit their residences or the civil secretariat for all obvious reasons.
The Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan, the National Conference headquarters in Jammu, is one such place these days which keenly awaits crowds and crowd pullers. This historic building today had a surprise guest –Rajinder Singh Chib, the Minister for Medical and Technical Education. Don’t mistake. Chib is a senior leader of the Congress and not the National Conference.
After July 11 expansion of Omar Abdullah ministry, Chib happened to be the only Minister from Jammu region to visit the winter capital. While National Conference headquarters is keenly awaiting its Ministers for the thanksgiving visit, Chib’s arrival at the party office set a rare precedent of the sorts. It was a clear surprise for the National Conference leaders but soon the message was out about the “courtesy visit”.
Chib who arrived in Jammu this afternoon to a tumultuous welcome, straightway reached the Congress headquarters at Shaheedi Chowk where he addressed the party leaders and workers. PCC Chief Prof Saif-ud-Din was also present on the occasion. Immediately after visiting the Congress office, he made a quick move towards the National Conference headquarters at Residency Road extension where he was received warmly.
“I am here for a courtesy visit as the government in which I am a Minister is of the National Conference and the Congress and this feeling needs to be strengthened”, he said. The Congress leader’s visit to the NC office was unprecedented. Since the arrival of coalition culture in Jammu and Kashmir in 2002 no leader of any ruling party ever visited the partner’s office. Chib clearly broke a precedence and set a new precedence which can infuse warmth among the parties in alliance which usually follow the back-to-pack affection.
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