KL Report
SRINAGAR
While hinting that Congress would fail once again in its assertions to form government on its own, additional General Secretary National Conference Dr Mustafa Kamaal said that state Congress has been making such efforts since 1972 but have never succeeded. He said that Congress distanced itself from National Conference on Afzal Guru’s issue. He denounced the claims of state Congress chief Professor Saif din Soz that Panchayat empowerment is confined to paper work.
“Claims of Soz Sahab to form the government on its own are welcome. But one should learn from history. State Congress has been making these claims since 1972 but all these claims have been proved a mere utterance”, Kamaal told a local news agency, KNS on Monday. He said that every party has a right to claim and frame opinion but the ultimate power lies with people who decide the fate of these parties.
When asked, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had expressly asked Congressmen to get ready for pre poll alliance at various occasions, he said, “Omar Sahab never asked them but only expressed his personal desire for that. He (Omar Abdullah) had also made it clear time and again that the ultimate decision has to be taken by the party high command.”
Denouncing the statement of Soz wherein he had called empowerment of Panchayat’s confined to papers, Kamaal said, “I don’t know why he (Soz) is feeling like that. Earlier he had made hue and cry over the empowerment issue. Then we (NC) made him understood that State has its own Pachayat Act for that. He has presented his suggestions for empowerment which were also discussed in Coordination Committee meeting. I don’t know now about what he is talking about. Panchayats have been empowered in the state.”
While alleging the federal government of taking double standards when it comes to state of J&K, NC additional General Secretary said, “Congress distanced itself from us (NC) over the issue of Afzal Guru. And how can we expect it (Congress) to go against the wishes of federal government.”
“Omar Sahab is the leader of people and represents aspirations of people. He is not in need to consult Soz Sahab before leaving to Delhi for discussions of issues with central government. He is representative of people and as being the CM of State he has direct contacts and relations with the federal government”, said Kamaal while replying to a query.
Senior NC leader said that earlier polls to State legislative Assembly would amount to betray to people. “People have elected us for the term of six years and the will of people should be respected.”
