JAMMU: The National Conference headed by Dr. Farooq Abdullah has finally decided to Work for defusing the crisis in Kashmir.
His two day visit to Jammu, followed by a trip to Srinagar, has galvanized the party. Its prominent leaders and workers attended the Party meeting.
Despite the announcement of the Party that the situation in Kashmir Was not conducive for holding the Assembly elections, sudden activity in the National Conference camp here prompted R.K.Sharma, to come to Sheri Kashmir Bhavan, NC headquarters, for Perusing Dr. Abdullah to allot him a ticket for the R.S Pura Assembly constituency, There were many who launched over R.K. Sharma’s actions, but some senior National Conference leaders were giving an impression that the poll was not far behind. Those who observed Dr.Farooq recently in Jammu feel that though the former Chief Minister has shed some weight, he demonstrated his rapport with people by walking without security two kms from Sheri Kashmir Bhavan to his residence at the Wazarat road.
But he and his party leaders are yet to decide whether or not to continue the alliance with the Congress.
Many National Conference leaders are in favor of snapping ties with the Congress. At couple of places in Jammu some senior party leaders were heard supporting the idea of going it alone.
However, Dr. Abdullah made no public reference to the ties with the Congress. When some senior Congress leaders were informed about the mood of the majority of the National Conference, they merely stated that Dr. Abdullah had been invited to Delhi from London by the Prime Minister on the suggestion of PCC president, Ghulam Rasool Kar.
In fact, the Congress too does not want to get associated with the National Conference. It wants to build its cadre in the Jammu region.
The National Conference plans to submit its assessment of the Situation to the Center. The leaders are optimistic about playing a positive role in the Kashmir valley provided the state administration gave up its reluctance towards the party. At least in the valley the party wants to work without the Congress.
Observers here feel unity between the two factions of the National Conference one headed by Dr. Abdullah and the other by G.M.Shah could help the party to regain strength.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 12, 1993
