SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra on Thursday ruled out the party's entry into the Omar Abdullah-led government, asserting that the Congress would not join the Cabinet until statehood was restored to Jammu and Kashmir.
"In the past two years, our stand has been absolutely clear. We will not become part of the Cabinet until statehood is restored. Supporting the National Conference government does not imply that we will join the Cabinet," Karra told the news agency KNS.
Congress rejects fresh NC offer
The Congress' decision comes a day after the ruling National Conference approached the party with an offer to join the council of ministers, ahead of a proposed expansion and reshuffle of the Omar Abdullah-led government. Karra had on Wednesday confirmed that the NC had reached out to the Congress and offered the party a berth in the council of ministers.
"Congress is on principal stand since the last one year and Congress won't accept cabinet berth until the Centre government will restore the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir which were snatched from the people," Karra said. "Although we are a part of government in J&K, but won't accept cabinet berth at all," he said.
Reasons for Congress' stance
The JKPCC chief said the Congress had extended support to the National Conference with the sole objective of safeguarding communal harmony and unity in Jammu and Kashmir. He said restoration of statehood and protecting people's rights over land, jobs and natural resources remained the party's foremost demand.
Asserting that the Congress would continue to support the government against the BJP and divisive forces, Karra said the party reserved the right to raise issues concerning the people. "Support does not mean silence. The Congress will stand with the people and continue to speak on issues that directly affect them," he said.
Remarks on electricity tariff hike
Reacting to the recent power tariff hike, Karra termed the decision unjust and said the Congress had opposed it from the outset. He said the tariff increase came at a time when consumers were already grappling with mounting outstanding bills and the threat of disconnection.
"This power tariff hike is neither fair nor just. Placing an additional burden on consumers in such circumstances is not in the interest of the people. The government must look into the difficulties faced by ordinary consumers and protect their interests," Karra said, adding that supporting the government did not mean remaining silent on public issues.
A six-member Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was sworn in on October 16 last year, without any Congress member. The National Conference, part of the INDIA opposition alliance, is opposed to the revocation of Article 370.
In elections held last year, the NC emerged as the single largest party and staked a claim to form the government with Congress support. The Congress has since extended outside support to the government while keeping its options open on joining the Cabinet.
The article first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse at https://kashmirpulse.com/politics/jk-congress-rejects-ncs-cabinet-offer-over-statehood-demand/115751.html
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