news details |
|
|
| Rehabilitation policy stirs up 'hornets nest' | | Congress reticent……., fearing political backlash in Jammu? | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
Jammu, Nov 23: Even as the Congress as a major ally of the J&K coalition government led by NC did not resist the approval of draft policy of the Rehabilitation Policy for the militants in POK, the party leadership and the ministers, particularly have chosen to maintain absolute silence, rather reticence over the issue. The policy which is largely being seen as giving direct political benefit to NC, has become one more reason of discomfiture for Congress which is fearing a political backlash in Jammu region.
A day after the entire cabinet gave a nod to the policy in the meeting, the Congress ministers, at least from Jammu as always found themselves uneasy with media queries , though almost all of them chose not to say a word or in favour of the policy which is meant to provide safe passage to the Kashmiri youth who got arms training over the years in camps of POK for the purpose of subversion and militancy in the state. Sources close to senior Congress ministers said they are behaving in a manner as if they have been caught unawares by the ruling NC on this issue.
"Rehabilitation policy is not something that came out of blue or as a surprise…….Congress knew about it very well that government had prepared the draft for it and it had to come any time as agenda of the cabinet meeting……the posturing of silence or having reservations on it are uncalled for in terms of coalition dharma…", said senior NC minister. Interestingly some Congress ministers who were a part of the approval decision in the meeting, a day after are saying that they have not been taken into confidence on what has been included in the draft. While maintaining absolute silence on the lines of 'no comment' strategy they contend they have yet to go through the contents of the policy and its provisions.
Some of them also maintain that at least the Coordination Committee, the highest level forum meant for keeping a 'liaison' between the two allies and sort out differences, whatever over such controversial issues, has also not discussed the matter and therefore it was difficult for them to comment. Be that as their contention is, the question remains why did they become a part of the decision on which they were not certain or why did they not ask for time to go through first, if not completely resisting it. Their reservations only some hours later, as NC is feeling rightly so are uncalled for.
However, the observers have it to say that Congress leaders by expressing some reservations or choosing to maintain silence are only trying to play safe so as to escape immediate political backlash here in Jammu. While the policy will bring no trouble for leaders and ministers of Congress from Kashmir, it will certainly be fraught with some strong reactions here in Jammu. Sources in Congress said the leadership is mainly worried about political whipping from BJP, its main rival and therefore strong opponent of the policy, which in all probability they are going to whip up against the Congress.
BJP has already expressed its serious opposition over the issue and its youth wing organized a protest demonstration in Jammu today. But is only a small beginning and the party is too happy to get one more issue they can play up against the Congress, said BJP leader. While for now, Congress leadership seems to be in dilemma how to face Jammu, they are only waiting from response and signal from the high command as also the PCC chief on how to handle the issue, particularly in the wake of panchayat polls. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
STOCK UPDATE |
|
|
 |
| BSE
Sensex |
 |
| NSE
Nifty |
|
|
| |
CRICKET UPDATE |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
