Excelsior Correspondent
HIRANAGAR (Kathua), Apr 15: Former Union Minister and Pradesh Congress Committee president, Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz has said that Army was not a stumbling block in the revocation of Armed Forces Speciation Forces Act (AFSPA) in J&K but a stake holder and the State Chief Minister should also be taken into confidence before taking any decision in this regard.
Talking to media-persons at the sidelines of a Congress rally held here in district Kathua today, the PCC chief said that all the stake holders should be consulted before taking a decision of the revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the State. Prof Soz said, “Army was not a stumbling block as projected by some people, infact it is also a stake holder. But State Chief Minister should also be taken into confidence before taking a decision. The Congress has already cleared its stand and is of the view that a consensus is needed to be evolved on the issue,” the PCC chief said.
Responding on the question regarding infightings between two Congress Ministers, the PCC president said the issue would be sorted out by the party and it will react when needed. On the question regarding threat by a senior Congress leader and former Minister Mohd Sharief Niaz to tender resignation, the PCC chief while downplaying the issue said, “Niaz is a mature politician. He will not do so. I have not seen the letter so far but the issue would be sorted out,’’ Prof Soz maintained.
Commenting on the issue of pre-poll alliance, the Congress president said as of now, coalition is going on but the final decision on the pre-poll alliance for coming elections will be taken by the party high command. But he maintained that Congress was strong in Jammu and it was going stronger in Kashmir as well and can contest election on its own.
Replying to another question on Urban Local Bodies and Block Development Council elections, PCC president said that during the recent coordination committee meeting it has been conveyed that the poll should be held by the ending May but other partner had some reservations in view of some violence in Valley and after discussions it has now been agreed to hold the same by the end of June this year.
Earlier addressing large gathering, Prof Soz said that Congress will be a crucial political factor in the politics of Jammu and Kashmir in 2014 elections. He claimed that Congress will emerge as largest political force in the State. Soz said Congress is a vibrant organization in all the three regions of the State.
The PCC chief said the people of Kashmir have rejected violence and joined mainstream, in order to ensure peace, development and to secure the future of their children. He said the Congress is still in coalition in the State and for the elections in 2014, all the decisions regarding any poll alliance would be taken by the party high command in consultation with the rank and file of the party. He lauded the efforts of former MLA Hiranagar and senior Congress leader Girdhari Lal Chalotra for organising this rally in district Kathua.
Minister for PHE, I&FC Sham Lal Sharma, MP Madan Lal Sharma, PCC senior vice president Dharam Pal Sharma and Mr Chalotra also spoke on the occasion. Prominent among others present on the occasion included, Swarn Lata, Master Kuldip Raj Verma, Bashir Naz, Ravinder Sharma, Rani Gargi Billowria, Mula Ram, Prem Sagar Aziz, Th Hari Singh, Indu Pawar, Khem Lata Wakhloo, C L Bhat, Parkash Sharma, Lal Mohd Sabir, Manjit Singh, Shiv Dev Singh, Shiv Kumar, A G Kohli, Ashwani Puri, Shahnawaz Choudhary, Udhey Bhan Singh, M L Kashyap, Hukum Chand and Ravi Singh Slathia.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel