Vikar takes over as JKPCC president
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Aug 20: The Congress today said it will oppose the inclusion of non-local voters in electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir and is mounting a legal challenge over the issue.
The AICC in-charge Jammu and Kashmir Rajini Patil alleged that the move to allow non-locals to vote in J&K was illegal and said the Congress would attend the all-party meeting convened over the issue by National Conference president Farooq Abdullah. “We will discuss this issue. We will oppose it,” she said here.
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She was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event to mark the 78th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
She said the party would fight the issue legally and file a PIL.
“We will attend the all-party meeting. Our (Pradesh) president and the working president will attend the meeting. The Congress party will stand for the interests of democracy,’ she said.
Asked whether senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad was miffed with the party leadership, Patil said Azad has not resigned from any post.
“He has declined to take a post on the grounds of his health. We are in continuous touch with him. In fact, Rasool’s name was proposed by Azad only,” she said.
She, in her address to the party workers, exhorted party leaders and workers to get united to fight the BJP’s “wrong and anti-people polices”, urging them to strengthen the Congress party at grassroots, as that, it is the Congress Party which has served and shall continue to serve the people.
She termed Rajiv Gandhi a revolutionary leader, who is accredited of taking the prestige of the country new heights in respect of development, defence, IT, empowerment of people, who even sacrificed his life for the Nation.
Earlier, senior party leaders led by Patil paid floral tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his birth anniversary and recalled his selfless services and sacrifices to the Nation.
On this occasion, Vikar Rasool Wani took over as new president of JKPCC. Former JKPCC president Ghulam Ahmad Mir welcomed Vikar Rasool Wani at PCC office describing him a born and dedicated Congress man, who will leave no stone unturned to make the party more vibrant in every nook and corner of the J&K.
Vikar expressed gratitude to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Ghulam Nabi Azad, KC Venugopal and Rajini Patil for appointing him to the coveted post. He assured that he will do his utmost to further strengthen the Congress party, at grassroots level.
Vikar slammed BJP for diving and downgrading J&K into UT to serve its political agenda. BJP has done tremendous blunder by making a full-fledged State as UT with the result people are feeling disappointed. He said the democratic rights too have been snatched, which is very unfortunate and reflects the divisive agenda of the BJP.
The new president said Congress party is capable enough to fight against the BJPs vendetta politics, it will continue to highlight the price hike, rising unemployment, lack of development and misuse of agencies against the opponents at every appropriate forum to make BJP accountable and answerable to people.
Vikar expressed gratitude to leaders and workers for the rousing ovation they gave him on his arrival at party office and assured that he will represent their aspirations with full dedication and honestly.
Working president Raman Bhalla said that Congress party represents the urges and aspirations of the people and is working as a bridge amongst the people of all shades and religions. “BJP’s attempt to change the narrative, besides distorting the history deserve strong condemnation, at the same time,” he said adding Congress party will foil the BJPs agenda and will continue to work for the betterment of the people.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand also addressed the largely attended gathering and welcomed the party high command’s decision to appoint young and dynamic leader Vikar Rasool Wani as new JKPCC president, hoping that he will do his utmost to further strengthen the Congress Party at all levels.
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