Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Fresh from breaking its ties with the BJP-led NDA, a rejuvenated National Conference (NC) is looking forward to its first taste of victory after a shocking debacle in the last year’s Assembly polls in J-K.
Senior NC leader and former minister Qamar Ali Akhoon is poised to take over as the head of the politically key, Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Council (KAHDC).
The Council, that went to polls for 16 constituencies on July 10, witnessed NC securing a good chunk of votes. But CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and his Congress partners were expecting local Shia clergyman (opposed to NC) Asgar Karbalayi to come up as a consensus candidate to head it.
However, the NC too launched a campaign to woo the elected councillors to get a majority for its leader and former minister Qamar Ali Akhoon, who had won the Hill Council polls unopposed from Lanrechey Council seat.
In fact, NC chief Omar Abdullah has sent senior NC leaders to ensure Akhoon’s takeover as the Council head, which will not only be a blow to the CM but also for the Congress. This is because Congress enjoys substantial support in Leh where Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council is part of Mufti’s government with two ministers.
Sources reveal that NC leaders, including former Finance minister Abdul Raheem are camping in Kargil and were even joined by 14 newly elected Council members for lunch today indicating that the party is all set to control the Hill Council. The victory is seen as a morale booster for the NC in the Valley, where its cadre as well as leadership is yet to come out of the shock of a landslide defeat in previous Assembly polls.
