No CMP between NC, Congress even 8 months after Govt formation: Karra

Rajouri, Jul 29: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee President, Tariq Hamid Karra, on Monday voiced concern over the lack of a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) and coordination mechanism between the National Conference (NC) and Congress, despite the coalition government being eight months into its tenure.

Speaking to reporters during his visit to Rajouri, Karra said, “There is neither a Common Minimum Programme nor a coordination committee in place between Congress and NC, even after eight months in office. Such frameworks are vital for the smooth functioning of a coalition government.”

Responding to questions over the exclusion of NC leaders from the Congress-led ‘Delhi Chalo Abhiyan’ to press demand for restoration of statehood, Karra said such decisions are generally made only after a formal understanding between coalition partners. “In the absence of a CMP or coordination committee, no such decisions can be expected to be mutually taken,” he added. Reiterating the Congress party’s demand for the complete restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Karra emphasized that anything short of full statehood is unacceptable. “The restoration should be unconditional. We have inputs that the Centre may retain certain departments like Home, which defeats the purpose of true statehood,” he said. Karra also commented on the recent initiative by the Lieutenant Governor’s administration to extend relief to families of terror victims, including distribution of appointment letters to unemployed youth. While welcoming the move, he questioned its timing.