Srinagar, Nov 20: Contradicting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s latest statement that there was nexus between Naxalalites and the Kashmiri militants, state Congress president Saifudin Soz Saturday said there was no such relationship.
“I do not think there is any relationship between Naxals and Kashmir,” Soz told reporters on the sidelines of a function organised by Jammu & Kashmir Youth Congress (JKYC) at party headquarters here.
On Nov 19, the Chief Minister said there were “visible and invisible links” among the militants in the state, the Maoists, Left-leaning academicians and supporters.
Soz also rebuffed Omar’s statement that New Delhi was endorsing the Hurriyat (G) five-point proposal.
“It may be the CM’s view. But our party has a different opinion,” Soz said. “Our stand is clear that we are against the hartali (strike) politics.”
Addressing the Youth Congress activists, Soz said he would advocate that upcoming Panchayati elections should be contested on non-party basis.
“The issue would come under deliberation in the meeting of NC-Congress coordination committee which would be held in the coming days,” he said.
“The discussions are on to decide the dates for Panchayati elections,” he said.
He asked the Congress activists to inform people about the elections. “In view of the Panchayati elections on non-party basis, the people should identify respected persons to be fielded,” Soz said. “This will empower Panchayats. Only then democracy can reach the grass root level and people will get empowered. The elections can bring a silent revolution.”
He said the functioning of panchayats would be modernized and empowered by weaving the 73rd and 74th amendment of the Constitution of India into the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Act.
Apart from Soz, the rally was attended by President JKPYC, Shoaib Lone; All India General Secretary Youth Congress, Amrinder Singh Brar; former PCC president Ghulam Rasool Kar; vice president PCC Ghulam Nabi Monga; General Secretary Ghulam Nabir Mir Lasjan; Indu Pawar, President Mahila Congress and others.
While addressing the rally, various speakers demanded that Congress should get its share out of the 50,000 jobs on need basis announced by the state cabinet.
The newly appointed president of JKPYC, Shoaib Lone said that deserving people would get the jobs.
The rally was disrupted briefly by some members of dissolved committee of JKPYC. They protested and raised slogans like “We want justice.”
The activists demanded that PCC should adjust them before constituting the new body of JKPYC.
“We have strengthened the party for 20 years,” they said. “We want that our grievances should be addressed.”

Lastupdate on : Sat, 20 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 20 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 21 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST