Guru Resolution: Cong still indecisive

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Sep 21: Amid speculations that Congress may abstain from voting, the much awaited Congress legislature party meeting, which was held here this evening, primarily to discuss the party’s stand vis-à-vis the resolution seeking clemency to parliament attack convict, Afzal Guru, ended without discussion.

According to the party insiders, the meeting, which lasted 15 minutes, decided to again meet on September 27 to discuss the crucial issue.They said that J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president, Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz, told the party legislators to wait till September 27.

“Let’s wait for the party high command’s directives in this regard,” Soz said. “We will meet again on September 27 to clarify our stand.”

The resolution is scheduled to come up for voting in the State Legislative Assembly on September 28.

Pertinently, the meeting was attended by JKDPN president, Ghulam Hassan Mir, and JKPDF chief, Hakim Mohammad Yasin. Both the leaders were invited to the meeting by the JKPCC chief.

However, Congress Legislature Party leader, Chowdhary Mohammad Aslam, Deputy Chairman State Legislative Council, Arvinder Singh Micky, were conspicuous by their absence.

Other Congress legislators who preferred to stay away from the meeting included minister of state for higher education, Manohar Lal Sharma, Viqar Rasool, Naresh Gupta, Subhash Gupta, Haji Ali Mohammad Bhat, and Ashok Kumar.

Pertinently, independent MLA from Langate, Eng. Abdul Rasheed, has submitted a resolution to the Speaker of the state Assembly seeking clemency for the December 2001 Parliament attack convict, Afzal Guru, who has been sentenced to death by Supreme Court of India.

After the mercy petition filed by Afzal’s wife to President was rejected, political parties in Kashmir are afraid that the decision could stir more than a hornet’s nest in the strife torn valley.

The state’s principal opposition party, PDP, has extended its outright support to the Guru resolution, while Jammu based parties BJP and Panthers Party have announced to oppose the resolution “tooth and nail”.

Ruling coalition partners - National Conference (NC) and Congress – are yet to make up their mind.

While speculations are rife that Congress may abstain from voting to avoid angering their vote bank in Jammu and Kashmir, NC is reportedly in a state of dilemma to make its choice.

Meanwhile, according to reliable sources, JKPDF president, Hakim Mohammad Yasin, may vote in favour of the resolution.