Discussion on Assembly polls
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Aug 7: Ahead of Assembly elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will convene a crucial meeting in New Delhi tomorrow evening, which will be attended by top Congress leaders from Jammu and Kashmir.
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The meeting comes in the wake of the Election Commission of India’s visit to the Jammu and Kashmir from tomorrow to have assessment with regard to the security situation after spurt in the terrorist activities in the region and have interaction with the leaders of various political parties and other stake holders.
The party sources told the Excelsior that the invitees including JKPCC president Vikar Rasool Wani, working president Raman Bhalla, AICC general secretary and former JKPCC chief Ghulam Ahmed Mir, Tariq Hamid Karra, former JKPCC president Peerzada Muhammad Sayeed, former Dy Chief Minister Tara Chand, former MP and Minister Ch Lal Singh, JKPCC senior vice president and former Minister Mula Ram, JKPCC chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma, senior vice president Ghulam Nabi Monga and others will attend the meeting at All India Congress Committee office at New Delhi on Thursday at 6 pm.
Besides, AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretary (Org), K C Venugopal, party general secretary and Incharge J&K affairs Bharat Singh Solanki and AICC Co-incharge Manoj Yadav are expected to take part in August 8 crucial meeting.
Party sources said that Rahul Gandhi will seek feedback from J&K leaders regarding the upcoming Assembly elections and the prevailing situation in the region. The leaders are expected to provide their insights and suggestions on how to strengthen the Congress party in the UT ahead of the Assembly elections.
The meeting is seen as a crucial step in the Congress party’s efforts to revitalize its presence in the region, especially in Jammu region. With the Assembly elections drawing nearer, the party is keen to assess the ground situation and chalk- out fresh strategy to regain the lost ground during recent Lok Sabha elections.
Insiders in the party said that during the Thursday meeting, the possibility of honorable alliance with the like-minded parties for the upcoming Assembly elections will also be discussed. The party high command will seek suggestions from the J&K leaders and take feedback from them with regard to terrorist activities, present political situation and prospectus of the party in Kashmir and Jammu region besides Doda region and Pir Panjal belts.
JKPCC chief spokesperson and senior vice president, Ravinder Sharma when contacted said that they have received invitation for the meeting from the AICC general secretary (Org), K C Venugopal. He said today was the meeting of the top Congress leadership with the leaders from Jharkhand. On August 8, the meeting will be held at 6 pm at AICC Dehli office with the senior J&K Congress leaders.
Replying to a question, Sharma said Rahul Gandhi or someone else may convene the meeting tomorrow. The issues pertaining to Assembly elections in J&K, over all security situation, alliance with other parties and poll strategy are likely to be discussed during the meeting. The top party leadership wanted to take feedback from the J&K leaders ahead of Assembly polls, he added.
JKPCC working president Raman Bhalla said since the elections are being held in the four States/UT including J&K, Jharkhand, Haryana and Maharashtra in September-October, the party high command is holding meetings with the senior leadership of the Congress in these States/UTs. The purpose is to get feedback and discuss fresh strategy. He said for the purpose of potential candidates, separate screening committee has been constituted by the party. “Security situation and organisational affairs may dominate the discussions during the Thursday meeting,” Bhalla added.
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