Amid growing infighting in the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Congress, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has constituted a panel to inquire into reported “indiscipline and anti-party activities” in the Union Territory.
In a statement, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal said, “The Congress president has approved the proposal for the constitution of an inquiry committee to look into the reported indiscipline and anti-party activities in Jammu and Kashmir, with immediate effect.”
Shaktisinh Gohil has been appointed convenor of the committee, while Dr Amar Singh and Rakeef Khan will serve as its members.
The party high command had recently summoned AICC general secretary and senior leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir, J&K Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra, working president Raman Bhalla, former J&K Congress chief Vikar Rasool Wani and former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand to New Delhi.
The inquiry by the central leadership comes at a time when a disgruntled section of leaders has been engaged in an open war of words with J&K Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra. Party insiders said that since his removal as state chief, Vikar Rasool Wani has repeatedly launched veiled attacks on Karra.
Wani has also criticised the National Conference (NC) and questioned its alliance with the Congress, claiming that party workers had gained little from the arrangement. He had lost the 2024 Assembly elections to NC candidate Sajad Shaheen from the Banihal constituency in Ramban district.
Speaking to the media last month, Karra said some “frustrated and deadwood” leaders in the party were questioning the alliance with the NC.
“Terming the alliance as wrong amounts to undermining the decision of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi. Those who have lost their positions are questioning the alliance,” Karra had said.
The local Congress leadership has on several occasions informed the party high command about the growing factionalism within the J&K unit.
Sources said the role of former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand has also come under scrutiny after he allegedly organised rallies to project himself as a contender for the post of J&K Congress president.
