Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Sept 22: Former Union Minister and Pradesh Congress Committee president, Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz (MP) today said that no political party in J&K can frame Government without the support of Congress.
Addressing a press conference here this evening Prof Soz said, “As per the circumstances in the State, no political party will be able to form Government on its own. It is possible for the Congress to form Government at its own but other parties will have to take the support of Congress party. You see, NC was out of power for six years and the PDP had to seek support from Congress in framing Government and now NC and Congress are alliance partners. In next elections also, the same scenario is likely to emerge”, Prof Soz maintained.
Replying to a question on silence of PCC leadership on two ministerial berths of Congress quota lying with its alliance partner National Conference, Prof Soz said the matter was lying with the Congress high command and it was fully seized of the matter. He however, avoided to give any time frame for the much delayed cabinet reshuffle in the State.
To a question on increasing criticism of Congress on FDI and fuel price hike in the country besides emerging of Third Front, Prof Soz said BJP cannot be an alternative of Congress Party. Congress is still in power and it has the enough majority. Mamata Banerjee’s step was not justified. She should have understood the compulsion of the Prime Minister being allies. He said FDI will provide much relief to the people of this country and fuel hike was the compulsion of the Union Government for making economic reforms.
Referring to the comprehensive settlement of POK refugees of 1947, 65 and 71 besides West Pakistani and other categories of refugees and provision of citizenship rights, the PCC chief said, “some of the issues of the refugees can be settled by even the State Government and others will be taken up with the Central Government.”
On the issue of citizenship rights to the refugees and its opposition by some of the political parties in Kashmir, PCC chief said, “the issues of the refugees will be settled by consensus with other political parties. One should not be negative on such issues. We know the task is not easy but we hope that pending issues of the refugees will be settled once for all as the Congress was pursuing these issues vigorously now”, the PCC chief added.
When asked about the fate of Wadhwa Committee report on refugees Prof Soz said he has not studied the report as yet but claimed that new committee being framed by Central Government on examining issues of refugees of all categories and giving its recommendation for permanent settlement will yield results.
Earlier, during the day, nearly 33 delegations of refugees of various categories including Yudhvir Sethi, Rashpal Singh Chib, Rajiv Chuni, Labba Ram Gandhi, besides border migrants and other bodies of DPs met PCC chief at PWD Rest House, at Gandhinagar today. Their leaders also submitted memoranda to the PCC president. Minister for Revenue and Relief Raman Bhalla, Minister for Health Sham Lal Sharma, MP Madan Lal Sharma, PCC spokesman Ravinder Sharma and others were also present.
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