Kashmir Youth Congress chief in trouble over remarks

JAMMU - Jammu and Kashmir Youth Congress president Shoaib Lone is in trouble as the Pradesh Congress Committee is reported to have sought his explanation for making “politically damaging remarks” to media.

PCC chief Saifuddin Soz has termed Lone’s remarks suggesting the seat of the government should not be shifted to Jammu this winter as unwarranted and politically damaging”, according to sources close to Soz.

Lone, recently appointed Youth Congress president of Jammu and Kashmir, told a newspaper that he had suggested that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, his ministers and the rest of the government should stay in Srinagar to stay connected with the people.

Soz had to issue a statement Tuesday evening that the durbar move or shifting of the government to Jammu would be as per schedule.

It is learnt that Lone has been asked to explain his conduct and also told not to make any remarks to media or elsewhere which could create problems for the party.

Sources said Soz has clarified the air, and asked Lone to learn to behave politically and in a matured fashion”.

Lone caused an uproar in the assembly in early 2008 when he levelled charges of bribe against Congress minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed.

Meanwhile, the National Conference, the ruling alliance partner of the Congress, has also taken a serious note of Lone’s remarks.

“We had taken up the matter with Congress leaders and urged them that no statement should be issued which could cause problems for the state as a whole,” a senior NC leader told IANS.

The durbar move is a sensitive issue in Jammu and Kashmir. This practice of shifting seat of the government twice a year from Srinagar to Jammu in October-end, and back to Srinagar in April-end has been going on for more than one and a half centuries. It was started by Maharaja Pratap Singh, the Dogra ruler, in 19th century.

Jammu and Kashmir has two capitals - Srinagar is the summer capital, and Jammu the winter capital.