|
|
|
|
Posted on 01 October 2011 |
|
| |
Rahul Gandhi’s cold-shoulder to Omar Abdullah?
The strategic snub is a possible indication that Congress might be eyeing a mid-term change of power in J&K
Iftikhar Gilani and Samarth Saran
New Delhi
 |
|
Party sources say, not only did Rahul decline a dinner invitation by the CM, he also refused to avail state hospitality |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Congress General Secretary and Rahul Gandhi’s strategic distance from his friend Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during the recent tour to Kashmir, has re-kindled hopes within the Congress circles to assume reins of power in Srinagar after the current government completes mid-year term in December.
Congress activists have been vouching the high command to return to the arrangement of a rotational Chief Minister, similar to what they had between 2002 and 2008, when they shared power with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Party sources say, not only did Rahul decline a dinner invitation by the CM, he also refused to avail state hospitality. Instead, it was Rahul, who asked Omar to join him at the Nehru Guest House for a breakfast meeting to discuss issues of governance and coalition. It is said that Omar Abdullah had planned a grand reception to honour Rahul’s first visit as General Secretary and to showcase his friendship so as to silence voices of dissent within the Congress party against him.
Aides, who accompanied Gandhi scion say, a common thread in his meetings in Kargil, Srinagar, Rajuri and Jammu was that people complained of mis-governance, corruption and pointedly asked him why he defended Omar during 2010 summer street outpourings, that killed over 100 youth. “It is true that issues of corruption and governance were raised at all the places visited by Rahul Gandhiji,” said Jammu and Kashmir Youth Congress President Shoaib Lone.
Lone, however, added that corruption was not the only issue raised by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, “Rahul Gandhiji’s trip to the state has infused a new energy to the youth” said Lone. It is learnt there were lot of deliberations over Rahul Gandhi’s address to the students of Kashmir University in Srinagar. Sources say that congress leaders had advised Rahul to not to go ahead with the interaction or he should restrict his address to the students to not more than 80-100 odd students. The fact that 1,100 students turned up for the interaction and hundreds were left outside as the hall was packed to the capacity in itself depicts that the youth welcomed Rahul with open arms says an aide who accompanied Rahul Gandhi on his two day trip.
In his two-day trip Rahul laid special emphasis on the employment among the youth. “I will ensure that big corporate houses come here and create employment avenues in IT and other sectors. In a year or two, you will realise what I am promising you today is true” said Rahul while addressing the students at the Kashmir university.
Last year in September, it is believed when the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram had made up mind to seek removal of Omar Abdullah from Kashmir scene to sooth frayed nerves on streets, Rahul Gandhi not only in his public meeting in Kolkata, but even internally lobbied for the continuance of Omar as CM.
On 17 September 2010, at the height of public outcry at the misrule of Omar Abdullah, Rahul firmly backed him, arguing that the job he (Omar) was doing was a "tough" one and, hence, needed more time to reverse the situation. Even the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had expressed its unease by talking about "trust-deficit" and "governance-deficit", which was seen as a subtle dig at the chief minister.
"Omar is doing a very tough job and he should be given time and support to combat the situation in J&K,” Rahul told reporters last year. Describing the prevailing problems in J&K as "sensitive and complex", Rahul Gandhi said it will require "patience and time for the situation to subside there and the National Conference government should be given support. Omar is a youngster and I think we have to give him some time and support."
But exactly a year after on September 26 in Srinagar, he kept a distance from the Chief Minister. Resisting to defend Omar, he said the party high command would take the final call on the demand for rotational Chief Minister in Jammu and Kashmir. “I am not here to support or oppose the Chief Minister (Omar Abdullah). I have come here to talk about National Students Union of India (NSUI) and Youth Congress. As far as the demand for rotational Chief Minister (in J&K) is concerned, it is to be decided by the party high command. I have nothing more to say on it,” Gandhi had said.
“Rahul responded in a ticklish manner when a student asked why he always shields Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who had repeatedly been making controversial statements,” says a youth Congress leader, who had accompanied Rahul. “The students asked him whether Congress has any plan for rotational chief minister ship in Jammu and Kashmir after January 2012. He (Rahul) said the final decision is to be taken by the party high command and he is not here to support or oppose Omar Abdullah,” he adds.
More so, he was moved when a motley group of youth gathered at a bakers shop in backward Kargil town also pointed to him, why he is defending Omar Abdullah. Rahul had asked local leaders about local dietary habits. When told that people in the region take special bread. He made the car stop at a bakery and purchased the bread. As the baker was putting the bread in oven, Gandhi mingled with the crowd and asked them questions about their life. But, they too expressed their resentment at the functioning of the government and asked for his intervention.
Aides accompanying Rahul, however, denied that people expressed any kind of resentment at the bakery shop. Ahead of his one-to-one- breakfast meeting with Omar Abdullah, Rahul had convened a high-level meeting comprising general secretary in-charge Mohan Prakash, state unit chief Prof Saifuddin Soz to review the functioning of the coalition. Gandhi’s aides say that all what he has gathered is that all is not well with the coalition.
Congress leaders now quote Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who at a meeting in December 2008 to finalise arrangement for coalition with the National Conference had asked for a periodic review of the functioning of alliance. “It is now time for such a review,” say Congress leaders.
The Congress general secretary also interacted with the vegetable vendors who gather at the Dal Lake at the crack of dawn. After exchanging pleasantries and hearing their problems, Rahul went to the house of Ghulam Rasool where he had ‘Kahwa’ (green tea) and listened to the various issues concerning Dal residents. Rasool is one of the leaders of Dal residents who have been protesting against the state government’s compensation for relocating them.
Iftikhar Gilani is Special Correspondent with Tehelka.com
iftikhar@tehelka.com
|
