Free-for-all in J&K Cong, two leaders in slanging match

Major trouble is brewing in the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir with two of its senior leaders involved in a mud-slinging war and another minister facing the allegations of using unfair means to help his son pass the Class 10 exam.

Major trouble is brewing in the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir with two of its senior leaders involved in a mud-slinging war and another minister facing the allegations of using unfair means to help his son pass the Class 10 exam.

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Squabbling in the state Congress reached extraordinary levels after senior leader Abdul Ghani Vakil accused public health engineering minister Taj Mohiuddin of turning a blind eye to rampant corruption in his ministry. Mohiuddin denied the charges and threatened to sue Vakil for “defamation and character assassination”.

But the war of words turned personal after Mohiuddin claimed the disciplinary committee has recommended Vakil’s expulsion from the party. Vakil hit back, alleging pending corruption and land grabbing cases against the minister and his family had “done harm to Congress”.

The bickering has divided the state Congress into two factions. As many as 21 leaders issued a joint statement against Mohiuddin, accusing him of failing to check corruption in his ministry and tarnishing the party’s image. They sought action against him.

Mohiuddin also claimed the support of 12 senior leaders who, he said, had written to the party high command about Vakil’s “malevolent activities”.

To add to the woes, state education minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed is embroiled in a controversy surrounding his son. A local daily published a report that alleged Sayeed, in connivance with state examination board officials, had helped his son qualify the Class 10 examination in 2009.

Taking note of the report, chief minister Omar Abdullah directed the state crime branch to probe the allegations. Party in-charge of J&K affairs Mohan Prakash has sought detailed reports on both the issues.