8-Member Panel To Search Suitable Candidates For 2014 Polls
JAMMU (ONS) – Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Saturday urged India and Pakistan to enter into a sustained dialogue to find a permanent solution to the Kashmir dispute acceptable to all its stakeholders which can pave the way for lasting pace in the region.
A resolution to the effect was adopted at a 4-hour long meeting of the partys working committee chaired by its president, Dr Farooq Abdullah. The working president and chief minister, Omar Abdullah, his ministerial colleagues, members of legislature, and other leaders were present. Due to the presence of several special invitees more than 50 leaders attended the meeting though the WC strength is only 31.
The resolution also contained the party rhetoric of autonomy restoration being the bedrock of its policy and agenda, urging India and Pakistan to open more routes across the Line of Control and make the travel and trade between the two parts of the state easier by removing the existing bottlenecks in the engagement.
Ignoring the repeated snubs by the government of India and the partys discomfiture over the issue, the NC resolution asked the state government to continue its efforts for the gradual revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the state. The resolution also highlighted some achievements of the coalition government.
Buoyed by the recent Legislative Council poll win, the working committee decided to approach the Congress high command for contesting 2014 parliamentary and assembly elections jointly. Endorsing Omar Abdullahs desire for alliance with the Congress, it authorized the party chief, Dr Abdullah, to formally propose the future poll alliance to the Congress high command, agency reports quoting a senior NC leader wishing not to be named said. However, quoting another participant, reports said final decision on the issue would be taken as the situation would demand.
The working committee constituted an 8-member high-powered committee headed by the party president to begin a hunt for suitable candidates for the 2014 assembly elections. It will be meeting every month and reporting to Dr Abdullah. In an obvious reference to his brother and additional general-secretary and chief spokesman, Mustafa Kamaal, the party chief asked its rank and file to desist from criticizing the alliance partner, Congress, publicly, and instead strengthen the coalition.
The working committee is understood to have discussed the cabinet expansion. Sources said the issue had been shelved for now. Raising strong objections to what he described as indiscipline, Dr Abdullah warned all leaders and workers to strictly follow the party lines. Indiscipline will not be tolerated. Those involved will face action.
Dr Abdullah told the working committee members not to take the media casually. Media has grown manifold in India, so be very alert and conscious while talking to them. In fact I would suggest a recorder with you so that you yourself are aware of what you talked about, he told them.
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