Jammu, Feb 9: With its two Cabinet Ministers in the dock, the image of Congress in Jammu and Kashmir is at its lowest ebb at the moment, amid confusion prevailing among the workers.
If sources within the party are to be believed, the infighting within the party has reached an alarming situation and more than half a dozen party leaders are camping in New Delhi in an attempt to put pressure on the State leadership to put an end to the personal and political grudges within.
“We are expecting party to take some serious action against those who are fanning dissent within the party, leading to indiscipline,” a Congress leader, presently in New Delhi, told Greater Kashmir.
He said that the party leadership was busy in assembly elections in some parts of the country which has added to the chaos. “There were various things making rounds here in New Delhi. Some of the ministers may also have to face music for their indiscipline in the upcoming Cabinet expansion,” he added.
Taking serious note of the fissures, the party high command has asked the JKPCC chief Saif-ud-Din Soz to file a detailed report over the matter.
AICC member and in-charge Jammu and Kashmir, Mohan Prakash said, “We have asked for report from the PCC president and are in constant touch with him.”
Asked what action would be taken against the tainted Congress ministers in Jammu and Kashmir, Prakash declined to comment. “I can’t divulge these details to media,” he added.
Prakash hinted that after the UP elections are over some action would be taken on the report. “We are busy with elections this time,” he said.
Sources said that party is facing a major embarrassment as since the coalition Government was formed in 2008, four Cabinet Ministers of the party have been in the dock over charges of corruption, with wards of two Ministers found involved in cheating during examination.
It is pertinent to mention here that Minister for R&B, G.M Saroori was forced to resign after his daughter was found involved in impersonation case, while Minister for Education Peerzada Muhammad Sayeed has remained surrounded by controversies, even during the PDP-Congress alliance.
Recently fingers were also raised towards Minister for Health, Sham Lal Sharma, over the alleged encroachment of land at Muthi and now Minister for PHE, Taj Mohi-Ud-Din had landed in another row.
Insiders say that everyone is rushing towards New Delhi to seek advice from the high command to deal with the rising anger in the public against the party, with public keenly watching every move of the party.
“The claims of Congress that it does not tolerate corruption will be put to test in the ongoing controversy. Crime Branch had inducted Education Minister, while enquiry has been ordered against PHE Minister. It will affect the image of party candidates during the Municipal polls”, said a source.
He claimed that party has been caught in catch-22 situation before the commencement of the Assembly Session.
A senior Congress leader said that for past 48 hours meetings have been held at residences of senior leaders on the possible strategy to tide away the public anger.
Sources claimed that the present crisis has diverted the attention of the party leadership from Cabinet reshuffle as it was pushing for change.
Deep fissures were already visible in the party in the day to day working as one camp led by Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and another by Saif-Ud-Din Soz don’t see eye to eye with each other and this new controversy has deepened the divide.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 9 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 9 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST