Srinagar, July 20: As the situation in Kashmir continues to remain edgy over the killings of youth in past two months, Central Working Committee of the ruling National Conference would meet here on Thursday to discuss the present situation which has left the mainstream politicians marginalized.
Though there are speculations about major overhaul in the party, NC provincial president, Ali Muhammad Dar, said it was not on the agenda.
A letter from party General Secretary to the CWC members reads, “The President (Dr Farooq Abdullah) has summoned meeting of CWC at his residence at 10 am. You are requested to participate.”
Dar said the meeting would discuss the ways to restore party’s political activities at the grass root level and win confidence of people particularly in the wake of the prevailing situation. As many as 16 people, mostly youth, have been killed by police and paramilitary CRPF since June 11 in the Valley.
“It is time for introspection. The meeting would discuss how to overcome the weaknesses and address the grievances of people at grass root level,” Dar said.
He termed as “rumors” the reports appearing in media that some senior members of the Cabinet might be assigned top positions in the party including the President and General Secretary post presently held by Dr Farooq Abdullah and Sheikh Nazir respectively.
“It is not on the agenda of the meeting. These are only rumors,” Dar said.
National Conference MP from Islamabad, Dr Mehboob Beg, said the meeting would discuss the ways to try and restore normalcy in the Valley.
“We may not agree with the stone pelting youth but we can’t disagree that they are angry. Their grievances need to be addressed,” Dr Beg said.
The situation in Kashmir continues to be far from normal for past two months over the killings with government on one hand enforcing frequent curfews in Srinagar and other major towns to quell protests by youth and ensure calm while on the other hand the separatists particularly Hurriyat Conference (G) calling for protests against the human rights violations. As the result of the crisis, the political parties have gone into hibernation vis-à-vis any major political activity in Kashmir in form of rallies or party meetings at district or other levels.
A senior party legislator said the meeting would try and seek ways to reach out to the people. “The present crisis has left the mainstream politicians marginalized. There is no denying the fact that we are facing difficulties in reaching out to the people. Of course the meeting will discuss what went wrong in handling the situation and what could be done to improve it,” he said, wishing not to be named.
About the reports that Dr Farooq Abdullah might step down from the president’s post due to his busy schedule in New Delhi as union minister and party General Secretary might leave the position for some senior NC member due to his ailing health, an insider said, “There are possibilities that any senior member might be assigned to share the responsibility with party General Secretary due to his poor health.”

Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST