The Kashmir Pulse

JAMMU — In a setback for the Congress party ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, Vikar Rasool Wani, a former J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president and the party’s candidate for the Banihal Assembly constituency, has been sentenced to five months in jail by a court.

Wani, along with five others, was convicted for holding a public meeting without permission in 2012, violating the Model Code of Conduct.

The court in Jammu also imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 on Wani and his co-accused, Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Sachin, Ikramuddin, and Nazim.

The case dates back to the 2012 Assembly elections when a public meeting was organized without authorization at a school in Mithepur village, Banihal, and was addressed by Wani, then a sitting MLA.

Wani’s conviction comes as the Banihal constituency prepares for a ‘friendly contest’ between the National Conference (NC) and Congress, who failed to reach a seat-sharing agreement. If Wani is disqualified, the NC candidate, Sajjad Shaheen, could face a direct contest against the BJP.

Reacting to the court's decision, Wani expressed respect for the verdict but maintained there was no evidence or witnesses against him. "The case dates back to a 2012 rally when people were seated in a school. For 12 years, no action was taken, but a notice was issued again in 2024," Wani told reporters in Banihal. He added that the case is now in a higher court, where he hopes for a favourable resolution.

The NC and Congress have entered into a seat-sharing arrangement for the J&K Assembly elections, with both parties fielding candidates in five constituencies, including Banihal, for a ‘friendly contest.’

Despite the legal troubles, Wani remains hopeful the case will be resolved soon, and the Congress party has yet to announce any alternative plans should he be disqualified.

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections are set to begin on September 18.

SRINAGAR — With the announcement of Assembly polls, the Congress has appointed senior leader Tariq Hameed Karra as the new Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president, replacing Vikar Rasool Wani.

In a press release issued to the news agency KNO, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal stated that senior leaders Tara Chand and Raman Bhalla have been appointed as Working Presidents of the JKPCC. The development came soon after the announcement of Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir by the Election Commission of India on Friday.

The poll body has announced three phases for Jammu and Kashmir, which were long overdue, with the first phase on September 18, second on September 25 and third phase on October 1. The results will be announced on October 4 along with Haryana which will go to polls on October 1.

“Congress president has appointed the president and working presidents of the Jammu & Kashmir PCC, with immediate effect. Tariq Hameed Karra is appointed as president JKPCC, while Tara Chand and Raman Bhalla as working presidents,” reads the statement.

It added that the Congress president has also appointed Vikar Rasool Wani as a special invitee, Congress Working Committee, with immediate effect. “Tariq Hameed Karra has been relieved from his current position as a permanent invitee, Congress Working Committee. The party appreciates the contributions of the outgoing PCC president, Vikar Rasool Wani,” it stated.

SRINAGAR — Congress UT President Vikar Rasool Wani on Wednesday announced an outreach initiative to address public grievances across Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking to the media in Srinagar, Vikar Rasool outlined the party’s plans to incorporate these concerns into their manifesto.

“We will meet all people and visit every district to check the people's grievances,” he stated.

Speaking of the struggles faced by the people over the past decade, he noted issues such as increased electricity fees and the plight of those affiliated with stone quarries.

Vikar Rasool criticized the BJP for terminating the Roshni Act and seizing land previously provided under the scheme. He also emphasized the demand to waive off Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans and pledged to include this in the party's manifesto.

A key promise from the Congress is the restoration of statehood. “We will fight for the restoration of statehood,” the Congress UT President declared.

He condemned the increased powers granted to the Lieutenant Governor’s administration and called for elections only after statehood is restored. “All grievances will be addressed only when we regain power,” he added, criticizing the Reorganization Act for diminishing political authority.

Vikar Rasool also assured that issues faced by daily wagers would be prioritized in their manifesto. He expressed no objection to granting more powers to the state police and reiterated the party’s stance on Article 370, promising to address it once Congress is back in power.