Terms those raising demand of Hindu Chief Minister for J&K as “unreasonable” Aslam Goni launches veiled attack on Sham Lal Bharat Bhushan Early Times Report JAMMU, Nov 12: It is now Congress versus Congress in J&K where the party is already struggling hard to keep itself afloat after its debacle in the recently held Lok Sabha elections. After its resounding defeat in the general elections, one would have expected it to do everything it can to put its house back in order. But it seems to have learnt no lesson even after losing the two Jammu seats to its arch rival BJP. Congress leader Aslam Goni today told a national TV news channel that those, who were raising the demand of a Hindu Chief Minister for J&K, are unreasonable. The demand has time and again been raised by none other than Congress leader and ex-Minister Sham Lal Sharma. His remarks, therefore, indirectly targeted his senior party colleague. Goni, who had switched loyalities and migrated to Congress over an year or so back after his mentor and NC veteran Farooq Abdullah had dumped him following the JKCA scam, was vocal in criticising those who were raising the pitch for a Hindu Chief Minister in J&K. Gonis decision to quit NC, which had provided him a political platform in the state, is unlikely to harm the prospects of the party in the upcoming state polls but it had surely caused embarrassment to the party leadership as he was closely associated with ex-Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah in different capacities. He had been maintaining a low profile in his new party but his criticism of Sham Lal, even as he has not named him, has stoked a controversy, bringing him again in the focus, though for wrong reasons this time. One thing is ample clear that the two colleagues would no more be nice to each other whenever they come in front of each other. This has also given strength to the reports that the state Congress was a divided house where every one was in wait for an opportune moment to expose his rivals and no one was following the policy of union is strength to send a message outside that they were one and would face the electorate unitedly. Though Sham Lal was not available for his comments, one thing is for sure that as and when he reacts to the Gonis remarks, it will trigger a war of words between the two. The party is already marred by internal bickerings and the remarks of Goni and other such leaders would only cause it further embarrassment. These wont do any good but would surely cause further division in the party. The senior leaders have so far maintained silence and it has been observed that whenever such issues crop up in the party, they retreat into their shells. Their reluctance in this regard is baffling. In the present situation, one cannot expect Congress to do its urgent homework and present a comparison of NDAs promises versus realities. At the national level also, Congress leaders have been issuing statements that cannot be considered good for the party. According to a report, the Congress has also downsized its social media efforts unlike BJP which is expanding its digital presence. Also, its two top leaders - Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul - are not on any social media platform. On the other side, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the worlds second most followed politician on Twitter. Instead of working against the party interests, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee leaders need to sink their differences and evolve a joint strategy to fight the forthcoming state elections.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 06:03:55 +0000
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