Cracks in J&K Congress

The unrest in Kashmir has again brought to the fore the factionalism in the state Congress. The state unit is already divided into two factions with one owing allegiance to Pradesh Congress Committee president Saifuddin Soz and the other to Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. Aurangzeb Naqshbandi reports.

The unrest in Kashmir has again brought to the fore the factionalism in the state Congress. The state unit is already divided into two factions with one owing allegiance to Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Saifuddin Soz and the other to Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

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A section in the J&K Congress has now charged the local leadership with "having consistently failed" in understanding the seriousness of issues and dealing with crisis situations in the sensitive state.

"There have been no discussions within the party on the current situation in the Valley," a state leader said.

A few leaders from this section were recently in Delhi to "lodge their protest" over the PCC chief's "style" of working. But the Soz faction has rubbished the charges.

"Interactions are being held on regular basis. The PCC chief is open for discussions and meets party functionaries and workers. All are involved in consultation process," said J&K Congress spokesman Ravinder Sharma.