Congress firm on demand of statehood restoration, says Karra

Srinagar, Dec 12: Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra said on Thursday that Congress party is firm on the demand of statehood restoration.

He said Congress party has already clarified that the demand of statehood will be flagged up in and outside the Parliament till its restoration.

“As far as J&K Congress unit is concerned we raised this issue before elections as well. Our leader Rahul Gandhi during Kashmir visit categorically stated that we will take up this issue in and outside the Parliament. J&K Congress is struggling for statehood coherently. It is a matter of happiness that today major political parties have toed our line and are demanding statehood for Jammu & Kashmir,” Karra told reporters in Srinagar.

While commenting on the reports of tussle between Office of the LG J&K and Office of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, he said coldness, if any between the two offices lead people of J&K to become its first casualty. “There are only two ends who can say whether there is any tussle? I constantly reiterate that it is the people of Jammu and Kashmir who become first casualty of tussle between power corridors, if any. Simultaneously it is not good for democratic system. The mandate of cabinet is not fully explicit, which is not a good omen for J&K,” he said.

He added those labeling LOP Rahul Gandhi as ‘anti-national’ are having notorious character. “They have no right to raise fingers on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. They had been informers of British powers, and possess no right to certify people as per their will,” Karra reacted.