The News Craving
Srinagar:
The Congress has appointed M.K. Bhardwaj and Bhanu Mahajan as acting working presidents of its Jammu and Kashmir unit. This reshuffle comes as the party gears up for the ongoing assembly polls.
The appointments, made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, were announced via a party statement, effective immediately.
The reshuffle follows the earlier replacement of Vikar Rasool Wani, who was removed from his position as Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President in August. Tariq Hameed Karra now holds the post of PCC President, a change made before the elections.
Earlier while addressing a public meeting in Banihal as he launched his election campaign, Wani expressed his discontent over his removal. “Few forces conspired to stop me from becoming Chief Minister,” he stated, voicing concerns about deep-rooted factionalism within the party. He also criticized individuals “from across the tunnel,” suggesting they treated him and his community as “Paharis or Gujjars” and denied them equal opportunities.
Wani’s remarks shed light on the underlying tensions within the Congress party, as regional and identity-based politics continue to play a significant role in Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape.
The ongoing elections in the region are being held in three phases. The first phase, covering 24 seats, took place on September 18, with the second phase scheduled for September 25, covering 26 seats. The final phase will occur on October 1, and results are scheduled to be announced by October 8.
