The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Srinagar stirred a flurry of political rhetoric, economic pledges, and expressions of discontent from opposition parties, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in the region.

In a mega rally at Bakshi Stadium, PM Modi touted the abolition of Article 370 as a catalyst for Jammu and Kashmir's progress, asserting that the region is now "breathing freely" without the former legal constraint.

He declared, "This is the new Jammu and Kashmir for which Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee sacrificed his life," underscoring the significance of the governmental action. Amid accusations against the Congress for perpetuating dynastic politics and impeding development, Modi emphasized equal rights and opportunities for all.

However, the opposition didn't mince words in criticizing Modi's address. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar lamented the absence of substantial announcements, including the restoration of statehood and solutions for unemployment. Sagar accused the Prime Minister of rehashing old promises and exploiting young entrepreneurs for political gains.

Echoing similar sentiments, the Congress criticized Modi for sidestepping crucial issues such as the restoration of democracy and job creation, accusing him of delivering a pre-election rally aimed at discrediting opposition parties.

Amidst the political theatre, PM Modi engaged with young entrepreneurs, symbolizing the complexities of governance in the region. Entrepreneurs like Nazim Nazir from Pulwama showcased their success stories, attributing their achievements to government support post-Article 370 abrogation. Modi lauded their efforts and encouraged further innovation, reflecting on the transformative potential of grassroots initiatives.

In his speech, Modi hailed Jammu and Kashmir's progress in tourism and economic sectors, announcing initiatives worth billions aimed at bolstering the region's agri-economy. He extended Ramadan greetings and emphasized the region's importance as a tourist hub.

Security measures were heightened during Modi's visit, underscoring the delicate security situation in the region. Despite the anticipation surrounding the Prime Minister's speech, traffic remained largely unaffected, with stringent security arrangements in place.

SRINAGAR — The National Conference (NC) on Tuesday said that the party will contest all three Lok Sabha seats of the Kashmir division while Congress stated that the talks are still on and the final decision will be made public on March 7.

Talking to the news agency KNO, a day after the NC Vice President Omar Abdullah and People's Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti attended the INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi, the NC leaders back in Kashmir said that there will be no compromise on any seat in the Valley.

“The talks are going on with Congress, but we (NC) will contest from all the seats in Kashmir,” Nasir Aslam Wani, the party’s Provincial President said. He added that the decision has been made by the party and there will be no discussion over it.

However, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President, Vikar Rasool when contacted, said that there is no decision with regard to the seat-sharing yet. “NC might have made public its stand and claim on three seats in Kashmir division, but the fact is that any decision with regard to the alliance and seat sharing will be made public on March 7 only,” he said.

PDP Spokesman, Najam-us-Saqib said that NC is adamant about contesting on all three seats. “We firmly believe that it is an existential fight and there is no need to look into the interests and fight for a larger cause. The decision is still pending and a final outcome will be out on March 7,” he said.

SRINAGAR — As Parliamentary elections are likely to be held in May and April this year, the chances of pre-poll alliance in Jammu and Kashmir seem "bleak" and "uncertain" as regional mainstream political parties including NC and PDP are yet to reach any seat sharing concensus, sources said on Saturday.

They said the aim of the pre-poll alliance was to give tough fight to Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in forthcoming Parliamentary elections which according to the opposition has damaged the very essence of the Constitution of the country and divided people on communal and religious lines.

Sources said that parties including NC, PDP and Congress are adamant about leaving space to other political parties in those constituencies where they have a strong foothold, resulting in the parties not reaching any consensus on seat sharing.

"Both PDP and Congress claim South Kashmir as their bastion and are not ready to allow other parties to field candidates there. Similarly, NC and Altaf Bukhari-led Apni Party are also not ready to give up in North Kashmir," top sources revealed.

They said the pre-poll unison in the Jammu region also seems North Pole and South Pole-like situation where political parties have decided to fight upcoming Lok Sabha polls without being in an alliance.

SRINAGAR — Congress today staged a strong protest against the suspension of 141 Member Parliaments (MPs) and demanded their immediate reinstatement.

Congress leaders and workers from Srinagar assembled at the Srinagar Party office early today and staged a strong protest against the suspension of 141 MPs, terming the move a blatant violation of parliamentary rules.

They started marching towards MA Road, but the heavy contingent of police pushed them back and closed the main gate of party headquarters.

The agitating Congress leaders, PCC office bearers and DCC Presidents' frontal organizations expressed solidarity with suspended MPs and expressed their anguish "over the suppression and oppression by the Modi Government, which doesn't want the genuine voices to be heard in the Parliament and resolved to fight for safeguarding democratic rights of every individual."

The protest was organized by District Congress Committee Srinagar led by DCC President Imtiyaz Ahmad Khan and other senior leaders.

SRINAGAR — In a major boost to Congress in Jammu & Kashmir, four former legislators and three district development council members joined the party on Monday in New Delhi in the presence of its president Mallikarjun Kharge and other top leaders.

In a statement issued to the news agency KNO, the party said that 21 leaders, mostly from Democratic Progressive Azad Party and Aam Admi Party, joined the party today in the presence of Kharge, K.C. Venugopal, General Secretary (Org.) AICC and Rajani Patil, Incharge J&K.

Those who joined the party include Yashpal Kundal (ex-minister and two-times MLA); Haji Abdul Rashid Dar (two-times MLA); Naresh K. Gupta (two-times MLC); Sham Lal Bhagat (former MLC); Namrata Sharma (former provincial president, Apni Party); Saima Jan (DDC member); Shahjehan Dar (DDC member); Prof. (Dr.) Farooq Ahmad (Aga) (former Director, SKUAST); Taranjit Singh Toni (DDC member from Suchetgarh); Gazanfar Ali (retired KAS officer); Santosh Majotra (State Secretary, DPAP); Rajni Sharma (Provincial Secretary, DPAP); Nirmal Singh Mehta (Zonal Secretary, DPAP); Madan Lal Chalotra (State Coordinator, Apni Party); Hamit Singh Batti (AAP leader); Ramesh Pandotra (SC leader AAP); Vaid Raj Sharma (AAP leader); Mandeep Chowdhary (Youth vice president, AAP); Nazir Ahmed Auqab, Maheshvar Vishwakarma and Jung Bahadur Sharma (Joint secretary DPAP).

The exits are seen as a major setback to Ghulam Nabi Azad-led DPAP which was formed by him in 2022 to create an alternative to existing regional parties. The desertions have also dealt a severe blow to AAP which was trying to gain a foothold in Jammu.

SRINAGAR — National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah, JKPC chief Sajjad Lone and former J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Thursday asked the government to come clean on the issue of “Home to Homeless”.

Omar Abdullah said that before providing land to the homeless, the Jammu and Kashmir Government should clarify which people it is counting as homeless. “Are those who arrived in J&K just a week ago also counted as homeless? I believe those who arrived in Kashmir after 2019 should not be included in the scheme. We are aware that the government has brought in a large number of outsiders to J&K since August 2019,” he said responding to a question by media on the sidelines of a function in Budgam.

He said that the government should first explain what yardstick it was employing to establish homelessness.

Responding to another question on the Union government's proposed implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, Omar Abdullah said, “The National Conference would not support any proposal that would harm the country's minorities. As of now, there is no concrete draft of a UCC for us to respond to.”

Omar said that the government also had to understand that when the laws of the country were being made after independence, at that time Jawaharlal Nehru and his colleagues talked about a uniform civil code for the country but the Sangh Parivar opposed it because “they did not want such a law. we will wait for what will be the proposals of the government and how we will take everyone together and as far as the question of the National Conference is concerned, we will not support any draft that harms the minorities.”

J&K People's Conference President, Sajjad Gani Lone, also strongly emphasized the need for the government to clarify the eligibility criteria for 'Land for Landless' scheme and restrict land allocation solely to the erstwhile state subjects of Jammu and Kashmir, without including any new domicile holders after August 5, 2019.

In a statement released to the news agency GNS, Lone expressed concerns regarding the eligibility criteria for land allocation to the landless and homeless in J&K and urged the administration to provide a clear and unequivocal clarification on the issue.

“Now that questions are being raised, it will be prudent for the state administration to make it clear whether providing land to the landless and homeless, comprises of only the erstwhile domicile holders pre-August 5, 2019. Per se, if lists have been framed prior to 2019, as asserted by the Rural Development Department, the list will not comprise any newcomers. Clarification is a must,” he said.

Lone further asserted that it is crucial to uphold the rights of the erstwhile state subjects of Jammu and Kashmir when allocating land to the landless and homeless. "To protect the interests of the local population, the government must clearly specify that no new domicile holders after August 5, 2019, should be included in the land allocation process”, he added.

Former J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Ghulam Ahmad Mir also asked the government to come clean on the issue of homes to homeless families and apprise people as to who is homeless and how they have been categorized.

The move is being considered another assault on J&K after downgrading it into two UTs. People are feeling threatened and apprehensive about their future given the misadventure and unexpected decisions of the BJP government from time to time.

Commenting on the new policy of home to homeless families in Jammu and Kashmir, Mir said the government should act in a responsible manner and explain as to who are the homeless families and how they have been categorized. "The aspirations of the people must be taken into consideration before moving ahead on this count," Mir said.

“We believe this policy has made people more restless because they are feeling that the move is another assault on J&K, which should not happen, so government must act in a responsible manner and avoid any further confrontation in J&K,” Mir said, adding, “There will be no compromises on rights, urges and aspirations of people in J&K, who are the victim of BJP’s vindictive policies.”

Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) while taking note of the “prompt” clarification by the government on the press conference about housing for the poor held by its president Mehbooba Mufti expresses dismay at the lingering lack of transparency in the process.

According to a party spokesperson, the main question of a sharp jump in the numbers of homeless ‘people’ from 1947 to 2021 to nearly two lahks ‘households’ remains unaddressed. PMAY has been in operation for decades in the state under different titles and a procedure has been in place which always was monitored by GoI itself from identification to execution levels.

The assistance would be given generally to the poorest landholders and in the case of people without land, there was a process in place to allot them land out of the community lands like Kahcharai, state land, Khalisa etc.

“The claim that two lakh identified households still remain homeless raises doubts about the sharp increase. Either the exercise is flawed or the intentions are suspect,” he said in a statement.

The spokesman said the latest announcement made at the highest level comes close on the heels of the allotment of tenements to non-local workers in Jammu. "Does any state in the country reciprocate this for thousands of workers, hawkers, and small vendors who move to the plains during winter?"

“It is, therefore, necessary for the government to come out with a detailed clarification on the process of identification of beneficiaries,” the statement added.

JAMMU — In a very strange statistic, the grand old party—Congress—which draws its connection with Kashmir, seems to be ignoring its leaders from Jammu and Kashmir as none from the Union Territory figures in the party's top national team. Moreover, in the recent campaigns for Punjab by-polls and Assembly elections in Karnataka, no party leader was included in the Congress list of 80-star campaigners despite having a president, a battery of veterans and former ministers.

“It seems that the party high command is not having much faith in the local leadership of J&K,” a senior J&K Congress leader, pleading anonymity, said, adding, “It was evident during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra (held in early January) when a team from Punjab was called in to manage a large portion of the Yatra, while celebrity leaders were invited to provide momentum to the BJY.”

Moreover, as per the party sources, none of the Jammu and Kashmir natives figured in the party's national team, which is the top decision-making body in the organization.

It was the first time in the last six-seven decades when J&K was unrepresented in the national team of Congress. Earlier, stalwarts like Karan Singh, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Saif-u-Din Soz, Durga Prasad Dhar, Inder Jit Malhotra and others were part of the Congress national team and decision-making body, but after Ghulam Nabi Azad left the grand old party and parted his ways to constitute now political outfit, no one seems to represent J&K within the party.

“There were posts of 10 general secretaries, 20 PCC in-charges for different states and UTs, around 66 in-charge secretaries and around dozen joint secretaries besides the President but interestingly none of them is native of Jammu and Kashmir or Ladakh,” another party leader said.

However, on many occasions, Congress leader and former President Rahul Gandhi said that he and his family belong to Kashmiri Pandit community.

SRINAGAR — District Congress Committee President, Umer Jaan from south Kashmir’s Pulwama district has resigned from his post and basic membership of the party.

In his resignation letter, as per the news agency KNO, Umer stated that the Congress has lost relevance in Jammu and Kashmir.

"It's been quite a few years, especially after the abrogation of the special status that the Indian National Congress has lost relevance in the Union Territory because of its obscure stand on Jammu and Kashmir and has failed to put forward its vision and policies regarding the UT,” reads the letter.

It reads that it seemed more interested in raising the issues of Central leadership and ignoring the problems faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"I must thank every member of the party who stood by my side in my journey with the Indian National Congress and I wish every member of the party the best in the future and hope they can change the policies for the betterment of the people of India and in particular the people of J&K,” it reads.

JAMMU — In a show of unity by Jammu & Kashmir’s opposition parties, National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Congress Working President Raman Bhalla on Thursday turned up at a rally organized by the Panthers Party on its foundation day in its stronghold of Udhampur.

Reports reaching the news agency KNO said that National Conference president and former chief minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Congress Working President Raman Bhalla have arrived at the function organized by the Panthers Party to observe its 41st Foundation Day.

It was not known whether any Peoples Democratic Party leader was invited by the Panthers Party.

Pertinently, the Panthers Party was founded on March 23, 1982 by Prof. Bhim Singh.

JAMMU — A day after the resignation of former Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad from Congress party, the party’s Jammu and Kashmir unit launched a scathing counter-attack and accused Azad of being in cahoots with the BJP.

Addressing a press conference at party headquarters, as per the news agency KNO, JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla along with other senior leaders said that the party is shocked by the reason and timing of the resignation of Ghulam Nabi Azad from the Congress party.

“It was most unfortunate and most regrettable that this has happened when Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and the entire organization across the country are engaged in confronting, combating and fighting the BJP on public issues of price rise, unemployment and polarization,” Bhalla said.

He further said that Congress will not be affected by the absence of Azad but the leaders leaving will regret it. “Congress party is like a sea and leaders may come and go but it remains undisturbed. If any leader leaves the party, it may harm it temporarily but in the long run, the particular leader has to repent,” Bhalla said.

Bhalla further said that Rahul Gandhi as president is the choice of a majority of Congress workers across the country.

“Rahul Gandhi is the future of the Congress party as well as the country. He is an honest and clear-hearted leader and is well capable to lead the party from the front. The majority of leaders of JKPCC stand with Rahul Gandhi like a rock and also request him to accept the demand of thousands of Congress workers to be president of All India Congress Committee,” he said.

Several Congress leaders, including Mula Ram, Yogesh Sawhney, Th. Manmohan Singh, Hari Singh Chib, Shah Nawaz Choudhary, Uday Bhanu Chib and others were also present.

Azad has fallen into BJP’s fragmentation process: Karra

Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and former Member of Parliament, Tariq Hameed Karra on Saturday repulsed back to Ghulam Nabi Azad for targeting All India Congress Committee (AICC) Vice president, Rahul Gandhi, saying that it was he who made the proposal and passed it for Rahul's presidential post.

Karra also said that the things in Congress for Azad started changing soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear that he (Azad) will not be wasted and he will soon be appointed for a special mission.

“Azad has been working independently in J&K for the past some months and raising queries over the leadership of Congress,” Karra said as per the news agency KNO while addressing a presser and that is why Azad is showing resentment only when Congress president is out for either health reasons or something else.

“Congress party for the past several months are firm to fight out the divisive forces, who are against the pluralism policy and challenge the secularism as well and have done complete polarization on Mandir, Masjid and Hindu, Muslims,” he said, adding that there was no mention of ideological differences anywhere in Azad’s resignation letter, but it was purely on personal grounds and seemingly, which indicates his differences with the ideology of the party.

“His resignation was not surprising for me as Azad was given a tearful farewell after his retirement in Rajya Sabha under a newly found bonhomie. The PM had also said that we will not get Azad wasted and he will be soon appointed for a special mission and work. Azad has been independently working in J&K and raising questions over the leadership of Congress since then,” he said.

Targeting Rahul Gandhi is contrary to the facts as it was Azad who made the entire presidential document for him and played a key role to ensure the post to Rahul Gandhi. “Even Azad had also pitched that Rahul should be given the right to choose his members on his own and appoint CWC members as well.”

Questioning the timing of Azad’s resignation, he said that what prompted him to raise questions over Rahul Gandhi in between 2013 to 2018. “If he is an ethically empowered politician, he should have resigned at that time. He had enough time to show his resentment, which he never did,” Karra said, adding, “The newly found bonhomie is very clear and it is only after that the thing starts unfolding.”

Furthermore, he said that BJP has once again succeeded in the fragmentation process by Azad’s resignation, which may be in the shape of a new political party or through facilitation.

“However, as far as Congress is concerned, Azad might have resigned from the party along with some beneficiaries from time to time, but the cadre and those who have a philosophical and ideological affinity with the party will continue to be part of the party and fight against the new fragmentation attempt,” he said.

SRINAGAR — Former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who resigned from the Congress party on Friday, is all set to float a new political party in Jammu & Kashmir next month, sources said here.

Sources told the news agency KNO that Azad would launch the party in September. Azad will be launching a new political party ahead of the elections in Jammu & Kashmir.

This would be the second major new political party in Jammu and Kashmir after August 5, 2019. In 2020, businessman-turned-politician Syed Altaf Bukhari launched a new political party - J&K Apni Party.

Notably, veteran Congress leader Azad resigned from the party today citing several reasons including the taking over of the party by Rahul Gandhi and his coteries.

Following his resignation from the party, several Congress leaders and former ministers from Jammu and Kashmir also resigned from the party in his support.

RS Chib among six Azad loyalists quit Congress in J&K

Following Ghulam Nabi Azad’s decision to quit Congress, at least six former MLAs, some of them ministers in erstwhile State government, resigned from the grand old party on Friday.

While five of them tendered a joint resignation, R S Chib submitted it separately but all of them have done it in support of Azad who was the ex-Health Minister of India, former leader of Opposition in Parliament and ex-Chief Minister of J&K.

“Over the years as a member of the Congress party, it has been my sincere endeavour to work for the betterment of my State - Jammu & Kashmir. I feel that in the prevailing circumstances, Congress party has lost its momentum in contributing towards the future of my State,” Chib, a close confidant of Azad said in the letter to party president Sonia Gandhi.

“Keeping in view the turmoil that the State of J&K has witnessed over the past decades, the people require a decisive leader like Jb. Ghulam Nabi Azad to guide them towards a better future. I feel that the Congress party has not been able to play the role that is expected of it,” reads the letter shared to media.

“I firmly believe that there is a growing divergence between my views and the views of those at the helm of the Party affairs. In light of the same, I feel that the best course of action would be for me to part ways with your Party,” he said, adding, “Accordingly, I am tendering my resignation from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress.”

Others who tendered joint resignation include GM Saroori, Choudhary Muhammad Akram, Muhammad Amin Bhat, Gulzar Ahmad and Abdur Rashid Dar.

SRINAGAR — Former Congress MLA Muhammad Amin Bhat on Friday said that he has resigned from the party.

Talking to the news agency KNO, Bhat, who represented Devsar in the last Assembly of the erstwhile State of J&K, said that he has resigned from the party. “I welcome the resignation of Azad sahib from Congress. I have also resigned from the party,” he said.

Meanwhile, sources disclosed that a few top leaders of the J&K Congress, who were against the appointment of former minister Vikar Rasool Wani as JKPCC chief, are camping in New Delhi.

“They are waiting to meet Rahul Gandhi to convey their displeasure over the appointment of Vikar Rasool,” they said.

Sources also disclosed that former MLA Inderwal GM Saroori is presently at the residence of Ghulam Nabi Azad in New Delhi. “A few J&K Congress leaders may also resign tomorrow,” they said.

SRINAGAR — In a major setback for the Congress party, its senior leader and former Jammy & Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday resigned from all positions including primary membership of the party.

In a letter to party President, Sonia Gandhi, Azad said, “Unfortunately, after the entry of Rahul Gandhi into politics in 2013, the entire consultative mechanism which existed earlier was demolished by him.”

The 73-year-old leader called Sonia Gandhi “nominal figurehead” and added Rahul Gandhi and his security guards and PAs were involved in taking significant decisions.

Azad was the Union Health Minister during the UPA-2 era. In June 2014, after the National Democratic Alliance won a majority in the Lok Sabha and formed the Union government, Azad was appointed as the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.

Azad’s resignation has come days after the veteran political leader resigned from the post of chairman of the Campaign Committee and Political Affairs Committee of the Jammu and Kashmir Congress hours after his appointment.

SRINAGAR — All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Tuesday appointed former minister Vikar Rasool Wani as the new president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC).

According to the news agency KNO, Vikar Rasool Wani has been appointed as the new JKPCC chief while Raman Bhalla has been appointed as the party’s working president.

The announcement was made after the AICC accepted the resignation of Ghulam Ahmad Mir, who tendered his resignation on July 6, 2022, after serving as JKPCC chief for eight years.

NEW DELHI — Congress party has reportedly decided to hand over the Jammu and Kashmir party affairs to former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Azad, as per sources, will take care of the party affairs ahead of possible Assembly elections that are reportedly slated for later this year.

Sources in the party, as per news agency Kashmir News Trust, said that Ghulam Nabi Azad attended a crucial meeting about Jammu and Kashmir party affairs in New Delhi and suggested to all the participants that they should forget about the past differences and work together to strengthen the party in Jammu and Kashmir.

After the meeting, which was chaired by General Secretary of AICC KC Venugopal, he tweeted, "The meeting of senior Congress leaders from Jammu & Kashmir was held in Delhi, to discuss party affairs and election preparedness."

Besides Azad, the meeting was attended by top leaders from Congress' J&K unit, Ambika Soni, Ghulam Ahmed Mir, Raman Bhalla, Tara Chand, Ghulam Nabi Monga, Taj Mohiuddin, GM Saroori, Abdul Rashid Dar, Muhammad Amin Bhat and Tariq Hameed.

A party leader on condition of anonymity said that either Azad or his close aide will be at the helm of affairs in the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, although rumours are rife that Viqar Rasool may be given the charge of Congress head in erstwhile State.

“The position of the Congress party in the Jammu region is very strong due to the ‘anti-people’ policies pursued by the BJP. Besides, the emergence of the Aam Aadmi Party has also thrown a serious competition for the ruling BJP in Jammu,” he said, adding that efforts are on to make the Congress party a strong force in Jammu and Kashmir.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president, Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Wednesday resigned from the post.

Sources privy to the development, as per the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that Mir has submitted his resignation to the party after serving as the party's State unit chief for a period of eight years.

Mir has tendered his resignation to the All India Congress Committee (AICC).

While speaking about his resignation, Mir said that he has shot a letter to the AICC president and told her that he would respect any decision of the high command.

Meanwhile, JKPCC is all set to get its new chief shortly as the party has already completed the procedure and sought suggestions from the leaders. Four names have been put forth for the next JKPCC head.