Soz steers Cong clear on troops’ pullout

JAMMU, Nov 14: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz today tried to steer Congress clear of the controversies being courted by the alliance partner and mainly the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on the issue of revocation of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) and withdrawal of army.

Despite being evasive while replying to media queries on this issue, Congress MP and former Union Minister had an oblique dig at the Chief Minister as he stated that the issue was very sensitive which was to be decided at the highest level. “So it would be unbecoming on his part to make any statement on that account. This is very sensitive issue, don’t touch it or ask me to comment on it,” Soz added evading direct reply.

He asserted that this was to be decided by army generals or security experts as where the troops had to stay and from where they had to be removed. Since this is an Act of the Parliament so there’s a definite role of Parliament and state legislature and the decision would be taken with a consensus after discussing all the pros and cons of the move to be taken, JKPCC president stated.

It could not happen that someone made a statement and a decision would be taken or the things would fall in place, Soz wrapped up the issue.

He was talking to media on the sidelines of a function organized at the party headquarters to pay tributes to first Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru on his birth anniversary.

On the question as whether the Panchayat elections would be contested in alliance with National Conference, PCC president stated that the issue was not yet decided. “Even the Alliance Coordination Committee had not met to decide on this account so far. Yet perhaps the contest may be above party lines. Nevertheless the final call has yet to be taken from the party high command,” Soz averred.

Responding to related queries he also favoured introduction of 73 and 74 amendment in the state constitution vis-à-vis Panchayati Raj. “This would help in the devolution of power at the grassroot level. The fruit of democracy has not yet reached the lower levels,” he pointed out.

Soz exhorted the people to gear up for Panchayati polls to elect honest and deserving candidates who can deliver and help flourishing the democracy to lower level. “Once the Panchayats would be in place, the elections to Local Bodies too would be conducted as the coalition is committed for the decentralization of power.

On the issue of Central varsity for Jammu, Soz maintained that the issue was taken up at the concerned ministry. “The issue was related to the aspirations of people, which need to be respected. Now the issue has almost been sorted out and soon the varsity would be in place,” he added.