Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 18: The war of words intensified between coalition partners, National Conference and Congress after PCC (I) chief Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz said the State Government will lose its constitutionality if it does not hold Cabinet or coordination committee meetings.
“Government will constitutionally fall on its own when its Cabinet or coordination committee does not meet. Not holding Cabinet meetings raise questions on the functioning of the Government,” Soz told reporters here.
Soz, however, said he had not threatened or appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to hold Cabinet. “I had urged him to hold Cabinet meeting,” he replied to a question whether the Congress would withdraw support to the NC following his recent statements against the coalition partner.
He also rebuked the ongoing talks between Hurriyat leaders and Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, saying such talks “won’t resolve the Kashmir issue.”
“Hurriyat leaders can go for tea and Iftaar parties to the Pakistan High Commission. They cannot help to resolve the Kashmir issue. I don’t like their meeting with the Commission.”
He said the Congress will give mandates for the upcoming Assembly elections considering their winnability factor and not on seniority.
On the recent Union budget, Soz said that the BJP led Government at the Centre was discriminatory regarding Kashmir.
On the reports of bringing electronic voting machines (EVMs) to J&K for Assembly elections from Gujarat, he said he will ask the Chief Election Commission about it and will personally look into the matter.
Asked who will be the party’s Chief Ministerial candidate, Soz said the Congress party selects the leader after it is elected to the Legislature.
Earlier in the function, former Deputy Commissioner Doda and Director Social Welfare Farooq Ahmad Khan, and son of former MLA Ibrahim Dar, Sajad Ahmad Dar joined Congress.
A Congress source said Khan will be the party’s candidate from Amira Kadal Assembly segment.
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