Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 24: Former Union Minister and President Pradesh Congress Committee Prof Saifuddin Soz today said that it was compulsion to be in `coalition’ and despite all pulls and pressures, the NC-Congress Government in State would complete its term.
“Coalition is compulsion, whether it is Congress or National Conference. Coalition Government will run until its last time. Despite all odds, Coalition will run its course and we cann’t compromise on principles. And without any compromise we shall run the coalition,” Prof Soz told the Press while responding to a question on the recent utterances between the `coalition ministers’ on the floor of the Legislative Assembly on the issue of running coalition recently and apprehensions of the people regarding mid-term polls, at the sidelines of a function organized by OBC Cell of the party at Domana here today.
When asked about the recent remarks of senior NC leader and former minister Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal against Congress and its top leadership, PCC chief said, “They have their own compulsions and we have our own. Some times compulsions make them to say certain things. Coalitions have an element of fragility. It is my endeavour being chairman of the Coordination Committee of Coalition Government, to strengthen it and see that Coalition completes it term,” Prof Soz maintained.
Replying to a another question on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent strong demand for revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in J&K, Prof Soz said, “ I also give him right to say it, but all the stake holders have to be consulted. AFSPA is a temporary law in State and it has to go. Omar’s demand regarding revocation of AFSPA is being taken care of by New Delhi. But it is necessary that all the stake holders including Army, Defence Ministry, Home Ministry, political parties and of course, the people of the State have to be taken into confidence and consensus on the issue is must”.
Though Prof Soz avoided a direct reply on the issue of PoK and West Pakistan refugees, which are within the domain of State Government, yet he maintained that Centre has asked the State to recommend the package for these refugees and has agreed to settle this issue once for all. On the issue of State Subjects etc, to the West Pakistan refugees, there was no firm commitment and he favoured a consensus.
Earlier, addressing a large gathering of OBC community members, the PCC chief assured that Congress is taking up their demand of enhancement of reservation quota in the job with the Coalition Government. He said Congress was voice of all the sections of the society and it represents the people of all the regions in the State irrespective of the people of their faiths, religion or caste. He said he would take up their demands with the Chief Minister and the necessary amendment would also be made in the present rule, where ever required.
Prof Soz said that AICC president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi are keen to address the issues of various sections in the State and the issues of refugees and other down trodden sections including OBCs are high on the agenda of Congress Party. PCC leader said Congress alone can ensure equitable development of all the three regions of the State and it has sizeable strength in Kashmir and Ladakh, apart from Jammu region, which holds key of strength of the party in the State.
While referring to the fulfillment of the commitment given to the OBCs for setting up of Advisory Board, Prof Soz assured to ensure justice to their other genuine demands and urged them to be in the forefront of Congress Party. He said the next convention of the OBCs would be held in Kashmir in near future.
Member Parliament from Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha Constituency, Madan Lal Sharma extended gratitude to the Congress high command and PCC chief for fulfilling the commitment made with the OBCs in setting up of Advisory Board for them. He stressed that Board should get adequate funds for the development of various areas of the State. However, he indirectly opposed to the caste or community based politics quoting some examples of Udhampur and Jammu West constituencies, but at the same time he favoured their representation in the Legislature and enhancement of reservation quota.
Launching an attack on BJP, the Congress MP said they stood exposed after Amarnath land agitation. They have failed to resolve the issues of the refugees. He said it is only Congress which will settle their issue and they should have faith in the leadership. The MP said that Prof Soz has forcefully taken up their issue with the Centre and now they have asked to recommend the package. Now, it was the job of State Government to act on it. He also made reference of allotting seats to the candidates from Kashmir in the Legislative Council, ignoring Jammu areas and some communities and said that when it comes the turn to secure seats for Lower House ( MLAs), Jammu is pushed forward and of course, takes lead also and when the question of Upper House seats (MLC) comes, it is Kashmir. In a lighter vein, the MP said that the `charity’ (Dehlan) should begin from Jammu now, as there are enough till now for Kashmir from Congress kitty. Mr Sharma was supporting the cause of OBCs and other downtrodden communities of Jammu region, seeking political representation for them in Legislature.
Minister for PHE, I&FC Sham Lal Sharma in his address supported various demands put forth by the OBC leaders and assured to resolve them. He asked them to install suitable deserving leaders in the elections to the BDCs and Local Bodies in the State which can be held any time. He also advocated for enhancement of their job quota. He said the creamy layer slab is also being enhanced to Rs 6 lakh.
Today’s convention was organized under the leadership of Kuldip Raj Verma, vice chairman OBC Board in which representatives from all the region participated. Mr Verma welcomed the PCC president and others on the occasion and projected the demands of the community. He also shared the achievement of the OBC Board made during past two and half years and assured to work for the betterment of the community.
PCC senior vice president Dharam Pal Sharma (Ex-MP), vice chairman Gujjar Bakerwal Board Ch Bashir Naz and vice chairperson SC Board Swarn Lata also spoke on the occasion. Senior vice president Muzaffar Parray-MLC, Ravinder Sharma-MLC, Ghulam Nabi Monga-MLC, Ex minister Lal Mohd Sabir, Kanta Bhan, Ex-minister Manjit Singh, Ch Zaffarullah, Shiv Dev Singh, Manmohan Singh, Dr Rashid Choudhary, Pranab Shagotra (PYC), Satish Sharma (PYC), Ravi Singh, Narinder Gupta, Azhar Sherazi and others were also present.
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