Appointed Jammu and Kashmir Congress president simply weeks earlier than the Meeting elections have been held, Tariq Hameed Karra discovered himself in control of a marketing campaign beset with issues. Although he managed to win his seat — Central Shalteng in Srinagar — the get together ended up with simply six seats and was nearly worn out in Jammu, the place it now has only one MLA.
The Congress’s ally Nationwide Convention (NC), which received 42 seats, on Thursday obtained the assist of 4 Independents from the Jammu province, pushing it previous the midway mark of 45 within the 90-member Home. The NC mentioned it was now ready for the letter of assist from the Congress.
In an interview, Karra talks about authorities formation, what went mistaken for the get together, and what’s subsequent for the NC-Congress alliance.
Excerpts:
What’s your evaluation of the Jammu and Kashmir election outcomes?
This election was fought with the particular goal of conserving the BJP away from energy for sure particular causes. One, we have been divested of sure powers and sure rights that we now have to get again. That’s the statehood and, together with that, our land rights and our proper to jobs. The individuals of Jammu and Kashmir have been fed up with the divisive insurance policies of the BJP and their hate politics in all the nation that affected J&Ok additionally.
And likewise the sort of strategy they took concerning operating J&Ok, that helped the individuals of J&Ok realise this type of authoritarian, oppressive rule must be ended. So that’s what we thought and the individuals of J&Ok have given a decisive mandate to the alliance to attain these targets.
The place did the Congress go mistaken?
We’re going to introspect it on a seat-to-seat foundation. Earlier than the outcomes have been out, I had been to Jammu and held interactions with our candidates. One frequent factor that emerged was the administration’s non-cooperation within the final three days of electioneering. Everybody mentioned within the final three days, police checkposts have been eliminated, there have been no police nakas. That facilitated the motion of cash and liquor. I used to be informed that even ambulances have been used. Our get together raised this problem with the administration however they didn’t cooperate. That may very well be one of many causes.
However can or not it’s merely simply that?
That may very well be one of many causes. I by no means mentioned that’s the reason. The opposite organisational causes, the shortcomings, all that should be introspected upon.
The Congress marketing campaign in Jammu, it’s mentioned, was in no way seen. Even Omar Abdullah made that time.
I can’t touch upon somebody’s remark. I’ve to speak to my individuals and do an introspection. We’ve got to do one thing like fact-finding on what went mistaken, the place and when.
Had been there issues with ticket distribution?
That will also be introspected. Every thing must be appeared into holistically.
Will the Congress be a part of the federal government?
We’re in an alliance and it’s pure that we’ll be a part of the federal government and we now have to do our train additionally. That’s what we’re into (now).
Will the Congress be in search of the Deputy Chief Ministership or key ministries?
That has not but been mentioned. We’ve got to kind it out amongst ourselves after which speak to the NC. We’ve got to have our in-house dialogue first. It’s too early to say something.
However are you sure that the Congress will be a part of the federal government?
Do you’ve got any doubts? We’ve got fought the elections collectively in an alliance and it is extremely pure.
Some Congress leaders, it appears, aren’t eager. One argument is that the get together’s efficiency was not on anticipated traces and it’s time to strengthen the organisation.
Introspection and strengthening the get together are necessary … strengthening the get together is extra necessary. However, I feel the Congress shall be becoming a member of (the federal government).
What would be the Congress’s strategies for a standard minimal programme?
Earlier than we went into elections and earlier than our manifesto was declared, we had a radical dialogue with NC about our manifesto. So lots of the issues are fairly frequent and we are going to see if there may very well be a CMP, perhaps earlier than the oath-taking or after. As a result of it will likely be fairly an elaborate factor.
The NC mentioned that it might try for the restoration of Article 370. The Meeting may cross a decision on it. If the Congress joins the federal government, what shall be its place?
When any get together goes into an alliance and goes to individuals, they go along with their agenda. And it isn’t an amalgamation of the manifestos. It’s simply an understanding that we now have to go collectively as a result of we now have to keep away from the fragmentation of votes. The events which have completely different agenda, and will have some contentious points, these issues at all times must be labored out for the graceful crusing of the federal government. We’ve got to take a seat collectively and see the place the contentious points are available between.
Will the NC be amenable to conserving such points on the again burner for now?
Effectively, I say that we now have to seek out our methods and means for easy crusing, for a secure authorities. NC leaders are fairly mature sufficient to grasp such issues.
Restoration of statehood is a standard demand.
That could be a frequent demand. We fought the elections on that. Omar saab was on report on Wednesday saying we are going to launch a wrestle for our statehood.
You’ve been a minister prior to now. Will you be becoming a member of the federal government?
That must be seen. The parameters of becoming a member of the federal government are completely different and who will be a part of the federal government is completely different.
