STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: By playing second fiddle to the National Conference and remaining mute spectator, the State unit of the Congress has formally surrendered before the whims and fancies of a mainstream regional party in Jammu and Kashmir.
Though all the opposition parties have decided to share the common platform to raise the issue of Kashmir before the central leaders in New Delhi yet the entire exercise was hijacked by the National Conference leaders. It is evidently clear that the Congress party has made up its mind to stay put with the National Conference and play its politics to dethrone the sitting alliance government.
It is no political secret that the idea of camping in New Delhi and meeting central leaders was originally the brain child of National Conference working President but the manner in which the Congress leaders remain voiceless and stood behind former Chief Minister has created an impression in the eyes of their supporters that the Congress has already conceded defeat and to ensure its survival in the state has made up its mind to play second fiddle to the National Conference.
The Congress is also guilty of sending confused signals and continuous flip flop over its existing Kashmir policy. On one hand, participating in the debate top brass of the party took a firm stand against the violent protests and in the same vein targeted the State and the Centre over its poor handling. But when the same party leaders landed in New Delhi they completely changed their chorus and batted for protesters, labeling them innocent children.
During the recent visit of leaders of the opposition parties to New Delhi where they called on President of India, Prime Minister, central leaders of Congress and other opposition parties, Working President National Conference Omar Abdullah led from the front and also acted as spokesperson on behalf of the delegation as well.
Pradesh Congress Committee Chief GA Mir or other senior leaders including GH Mir or MY Tarigami stayed back and allowed Omar to take centre stage.
Interestingly, ever since Kashmir is witnessing turmoil in the aftermath of killing of HM terrorist Burhan Wani the same political leaders failed to come out of their fortified houses and stayed indoors.
They could not muster enough courage to attend the Independence day functions in Srinagar and Jammu, sending confusing signals to their supporters where they are playing with fire by joining the separatists camp or have completely lost the plot on how to survive the turbulence in Kashmir. In its strong bastion the same Congress leaders found it difficult to explain their position before their supporters. Absence of mass leaders of the party in the delegation also raised a stink over differences within the party. Defeated leaders were included in the delegation and they too remained mute spectators.
