Islamabad (Anantnag), Nov 3: State Congress chief and former Union Minister Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz Thursday said Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) will go automatically if Disturbed Areas Act (DAA) is revoked from the state.
“AFSPA is a temporary situation. It has to go and it will go automatically if DAA goes. I’ve raised only one question that instead of saying I will finish it or revoke it, there should be proper consultation,” Prof Soz told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
Soz said he told Union Home Minister P Chidambaram that there should be consultation with all stakeholders before AFSPA revocation. “He (Home Minister) agreed that there is need for more consultation on the issue. It is not necessary that state Congress should be consulted. If Defence Minister and the Home Minister agree, I will accept the decision,” he added.
 Rejecting the reports of internal bickering in the party, Soz said all the Congress leaders and workers in the state are supporting him.
 “The reports of internal bickering and factionalism within the party are far from true. I enjoy the support of every Congress worker from village level workers to district presidents barring few people who are opposing me but they don’t really count,” said Soz.
 “I represent Congress in the state and have full backing of party high command,” he said.
 On the issue of rotational chief minister, Soz said; “I have never used the word ‘rotation’ and it is upto the party high command to decide on the issue.”
 Reacting to the statement of the NC spokesperson, Dr Mustafa Kamaal that Delhi was hurling grenades in the valley to sabotage the revocation of AFSPA, Soz said; “In response to his statement I completely endorse the statement of the Congress spokesperson in Jammu that it is the idea of a sick mind.”
 Earlier addressing the rally Soz expressed disappointment over the undue favours being provided to the NC workers by some government officials.
 “It is quite unfortunate that some corrupt officers in the state instead of fulfilling their responsibilities are resorting to politics. Some of them are acting as the workers of the National Conference and provide undue favours to NC workers while ignoring others. But I want to make it clear to such officers that it is the coalition government in the state and such kind of corruption will not be tolerated at any cost,” he maintained.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 3 Nov 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 3 Nov 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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