Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee today distanced itself from the alleged pro-Pakistan statement by Akbar Lone, National Conference leader and contesting candidate from Baramulla parliamentary constituency.
“Congress is not in coalition with National Conference. Wecame together with tactical seat sharing alliance on three seats out of six inthe state. On other seats including Baramulla, Congress party is notresponsible of speeches by NC leaders,” state Congress chief Ghulam Ahmed Mirtold reporters here.
Mir further said that Congress does not own Lone’s statementand “as a responsible friend, we sent a dissent note to NC high-command andconveyed our displeasure.”
Lashing out at Bharatiya Janata Party, Mir said, “Though weare not endorsing what Akbar Lone has said but he had made similar comments inthe State Assembly when BJP-PDP was in government.”
“BJP is doing politics now. If its intentions were good, thethen Speaker should have taken strong note of it, but the party preferredsilence for the sake of power,” Mir alleged.
Exuding confidence of winning the elections, Mir said,”Congress-NC is in tactical seat sharing alliance and what it’s (NC) leadersaid in Baramulla or South Kashmir will not affect the image of our party. Thevotes will transfer and we will comfortably win both the seats of Jammuprovince,” he said.
Earlier, Mir hailed Congress President Rahul Gandhi fordeclaration of ‘Minimum Income Guarantee Scheme’ to every citizen if party isvoted to power.
JKPCC chief said that as per this proposed scheme poorest 20percent of families in the country will be guaranteed Rs72, 000 a year and thismoney will be deposited directly in the bank accounts of the women. “Five crorefamilies will be benefitted by this historic step,” he said.