Srinagar, Aug 27 (KNO): Stating that Congress would maintain its “principled stand” and would continue to raise public issues, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief Tariq Hameed Karra on Thursday said the party would not join the government until the Centre restores “snatched rights” of J&K people.
While talking to reporters here, Karra, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said, “Congress is on principle stand since the last one year and won't accept cabinet berth until the Central government restores the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir which were snatched from the people.”
The JKPCC Chief said there is no doubt that the National Conference is interested in including Congress in the cabinet, but reiterated his party’s position on the issue.
He referred to assurances given by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi regarding the party’s support for the fight for restoration of rights.
Karra said Congress stands with the National Conference, but would continue to raise issues affecting the people. “There is no doubt that we are with the NC. Whenever NC faces any threat from BJP it will find Congress standing by its side,” he said. “But that doesn't mean that the Congress Party [will not raise] the problems and issues here, whether they are of inflation, power, electricity, or gas cylinders, or any such issue which hurts the people here,” Karra added.
On the recent electricity tariff hike, Karra said, “We were hoping that that instead of increasing the tariff government will give one-time amnesty. Here, for small people, Rs 20,000, Rs 50,000, even Rs 1 lakh is pending.”
Karra also questioned electricity disconnections, particularly during extreme weather conditions. “Disconnecting electricity in Jammu during summer season and in Kashmir during winter is unacceptable,” he said, adding, “
“The government should have a human approach. Only then will the government be successful.”
On the BJP’s criticism of the NC-led government over issues linked to its pre-poll alliance and commitments, Karra said the BJP had also been in a position of power in J&K.
He questioned what the BJP had done when it had its “double-engine government”, saying it has no moral justification to raise questions on issues that it itself faced while in power—(KNO)