Jammu, Sept 14: Congress on Wednesday chose to keep its cards close to its chest on controversial resolution seeking clemency for 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, moved by independent MLA Engineer Abdul Rasheed for upcoming Legislative Assembly session beginning from September 26.
 “It is the preposition for party legislators in the legislative assembly and council. They will decide how to act at that time. They will cross the river and in case the situation arises, our legislators will face the situation as per the party’s perception,” JKPCC chief Saif-ud-Din Soz told reporters here today.
 Soz who refused to be drawn out on his party’s ‘exact position’ remarked, “Congress is a vibrant party. It will take stand by its perception. Assembly session is yet to start and we are making deliberations for it but our legislators in both houses will decide how to act at that time”.

‘ARMED MILITANCY IN KASHMIR SPONSORED’
 Asked whether he subscribes the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s reported statement that ‘even armed insurgencies are basically struggles for political space’, the JKPCC chief said, “Armed militancy in Kashmir was sponsored and it is not acceptable at all. Those who want to dictate terms through arms, they are not acceptable. Armed insurgency challenges the system. It’s damaging to the nation and can’t be accepted.”
 “There is a difference between militancy and armed struggle. Militants like in Naxalites have certain ideology. We can hold talks with them. But the armed militancy in Kashmir, for instance, is sponsored and is totally different,” Soz remarked.
 ‘Not necessary alliance with NC in municipal elections’
 About the possibility of any kind of political alliance for forthcoming municipal elections, the PCC said, “The BJP is always on extreme right. They bring in religion into politics and come with parochial considerations. Our fight against them will continue. Congress has an ideological battle with the BJP and that would always continue”.
 Soz added, “For partnership of Congress with other political parties, we have yet to decide whether to go for alliance with National Conference in municipal bodies’ elections. It is not necessary that Congress should go for an alliance with National Conference. We may go for elections separately or play a friendly-match……”

‘ADVANI’S YATRA WILL SERVE NO PURPOSE’
 Soz said the BJP leader L K Advani’s proposed country-wide yatra against corruption would not achieve its purpose as such campaigns tend to “divide the nation”.
 “The BJP is playing to the gallery. We are a democracy. Advani in his own position as senior leader of the opposition is as important as the Prime Minister. He has space in both the Houses (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha). He can fight (over the issue) democratically,” Soz said.

‘CONGRESS WORKERS’ GRIEVANCES TO BE REDRESSED’
 In the backdrop of the Congress workers’ call to ghearo Civil Secretariat in Srinagar to protest alleged humiliation in the hands of National Conference ministers, Soz tried to downplay the matter, saying he is aware about the workers’ grievances and he will try to redress these.
 “We are a democratic party and we cannot gag the mouth of anybody. Anybody can say whatever he feels but the grievances of workers must be understood and I will try to resolve their issues,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST