Srinagar, July 23: With Kashmir continuing to remain tense over the killings in the past two months leaving mainstream politicians “marginalized”, the ruling National Conference Friday announced the formation of a high profile Committee to work for strengthening the party and keep the leadership abreast about the ground situation.
The decision to form the 6-member Core Group was taken by NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah during party’s Central Working Committee meeting on Thursday here. The members are: MPs Muhammad Shafi Uri and Dr Mehboob Beg, MLA Handwara Choudhary Muhammad Ramzaan, MLCs Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, Ajay Sadhotra and Khalid Najib Suharwardy. Shafi has also been designated as chief spokesman of the party. Sadhotra and Rasool would be the additional spokesmen for Jammu and Kashmir provinces respectively.
Sources said the committee would be acting as a bridge between the party leadership and workers at grass root level. “Its mandate is to receive feedback from the workers and suggest to leadership the ways for strengthening the party,” sources said.
A senior NC leader admitted that of late the leadership had noted with concern that party leaders were detached from the workers and party activists at ground. “The issue came for discussion on some occasion in the past. Of course the situation has got no better in wake of the prevailing unrest in the valley following the killings. We have to see an end to the present situation somehow and win confidence of people,” he said, wishing anonymity.
It has been reliably learnt that the CWC meeting had recommended that party should “establish contact” with the separatist leadership so as to act as a bridge between them and center. “The issue came up for the discussion in the meeting. It is on the agenda and party leadership might issue some direction in this regard in near future,” sources said.
Sources said during the meeting it was opined that it was not possible for the CWC, which among others have central minister Dr Farooq Abdullah and CM Omar Abdullah as members, to meet regularly.
“The Committee has been entrusted with the job of suggesting ways for strengthening the party. We have to take care of the suggestions and grievances of the party workers and activists,” sources said. “The committee will also remain in constant touch with the state government.”
It needs a mention that following his entry into the union cabinet the senior Abdullah had been devoting less time for the party even as some voices have reportedly grown stronger in the party that he should be frequently visiting Valley to remain in touch with the party functioning.
Asked whether the party was missing Dr Abdullah at state level, a senior party MLA from central Kashmir said, “The question is not about missing him. Nobody can deny the fact that Dr Saheb is experienced vis-a-vis state politics.”
Pertinently 16 persons particularly youth were killed in police and CRPF action since June 11 resulting in anti-government agitation in the Valley.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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