Neeraj Rohmetra
SRINAGAR, Sept 12: Breaking ice, the coalition partners —- Congress and National Conference (NC) leaders today participated in the Coordination Committee meeting and mutually agreed on a joint mechanism to resolve the political controversy, which had gripped the constitution Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil.
Reliable sources told EXCELSIOR that even as National Conference refused to withdraw the candidature of four persons nominated to the Hill Council, it had given its consent for election of Congress nominee — Haji Asgar Ali Karblaie to the post of the Chairman, LAHDC Kargil.
The decision was taken at the meeting of the Coordination Committee, which met in the summer capital at around 10.30 am under the chairmanship of JKPCCI (I) chief, Saif-ud-Din Soz at Guest House. The meeting ended at around 12.30 pm. The meeting besides Soz was attended by Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, Rural Development Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar and Minister for CA&PD and Transport Choudhary Ramzan from National Conference, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Minister for Haj, Auqaf, Floriculture and Public Enterprises from Congress.
Reliable sources stated that the meeting was held in conducive atmosphere and members of both political parties presented view points of their respective parties and emphasis was on finding an early resolution to the ongoing political crisis.
Sources said that both the political parties mutually agreed that former CEC Asgar Ali Karblaie, who had won on Congress mandate from Pashkum, would be leading the LAHDC, Kargil. “However, National Conference leadership was adamant over its decision to nominate four Councilors and claimed that there was nothing wrong in their nominations made by the State Government as had been done by Congress party in Leh Council. They categorically ruled out the possibility of their resignation from the Council”, sources added.
Congress leaders, who participated in the meeting while commenting on the issue said, “we have informed our coalition partner that as per rules the nominated Councilors didn’t have any voting rights. There was either possibility of the each of the political parties sharing two seats or the other option was of disbanding voting right of nominated Councilors”.
However, National Conference leaders, who were present in CC meeting asserted, “though there is agreement on Congress heading the LAHDC Kargil, there was no possibility of seeking resignation of the nominated Councilors. We have simply agreed that NC wouldn’t put up any candidate so as to avoid any contest for the post”.
“As far the issue of voting rights of Councilors is concerned, we shall explore the legal options on the subject and revert back to Congress party”, sources added.
Meanwhile, JKPCC (I) chief Saif-ud-Din Soz, who specially rushed to the summer capital to resolve the political crisis returned to New Delhi by 2 pm flight today, after attending the meeting of the Coordination Committee.
Of 26 elected seats in LAHDC Kargil, election was held for 24 seats on August 22 as two Independent candidates had already been elected unopposed.
Out of these 24 seats, Congress won 10 seats and National Conference 8. Six Independent candidates emerged victorious, three of whom had been supported by National Conference and one by the Congress.
A major political controversy had erupted, when State Government nominated four persons to the LAHDC Kargil even before the oath taking ceremony of the newly elected members was held.
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