Azad keeps coalition options open ‘Congress will be in power either with NC or PDP’ 2014 POLITICAL BATTLES ►RAJA MUZAFAR ALI◄ Srinagar, Sep 21: Keeping the options open as to whether Congress would forge future alliance with National Conference (NC) or Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), senior AICC leader and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Saturday asserted that the Congress would stay in power in J&K after 2014 elections and the party can go with any of the two regional parties. He was, however, quick to add that none of the two regional parties can form the next government without the support of the Congress. Talking to reporters after inaugurating 50-bedded integrated AYUSH hospital at Harwan on the city outskirts here, Azad said after 2002, JK’s political situation witnessed a sea change. “In 2002, we were in coalition with PDP for six years. And for the past five years now we are in coalition with NC,” Azad said. He said after 2002, Congress had been able to enter into an alliance with two separate parties. “One thing is clear, whether NC or PDP come to power or not in 2014, Congress will continue to be in the power,” Azad said in reply to a query whether Congress has made up its mind on entering into an alliance with PDP after 2014 elections. “No regional party can form the government without Congress support in JK (in 2014). We can either have an alliance with one party or the other, but we will stay in power.” He, however, said that every political party would like to emerge as a single largest party “and same is the case with Congress.” Pertinently, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had been pressing for grand alliance between NC and Congress. However, due to stiff opposition within the Congress ranks, Chief Minister’s proposal is finding very few takers in the Congress. Interestingly, State Congress chief Prof Saifuddin Soz has been maintaining that the party would either emerge as a single largest party or lead the next government in the state. Talking to Greater Kashmir, a senior Congress minister, accompanying Azad during the function, said 90 percent of the party leaders were of the belief that there should be no coalition with NC in future. “We have been focusing on getting at least 30 seats in 2014 assembly elections. We may go with PDP after poll results are out,” he said wishing not to be named. He said though final decision would lie with the Congress high command. “The party high command has already begun its mission on gauging the political mood in JK. The visits of AICC General Secretary and JK Affairs In-charge Ambika Soni and Azad Sahab are part of that exercise,” he said. “The September 22 conclave in Srinagar is aimed at evolving consensus on what the party’s future strategy should be. My personal opinion is that we should side with PDP after framing a Common Minimum Program (CMP) with that party,” he said. He, however, was quick to add that term of future chief minister may be shared on equal tenure basis as was the arrangement during Congress-PDP coalition. “The party high command will take a final call on that as well,” he said. He said Congress leadership doesn’t want to jump the gun on future coalition issue. “We want successful completion of the present coalition. Now that only one year is left, we want to end the present regime on a good note,” the Congress leader said.
Posted on: Sun, 22 Sep 2013 03:06:07 +0000
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