Srinagar, June 29 : President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), Tariq Hameed Karra on Sunday said that the Congress has maintained a clear stance since before the elections that they will not join the government cabinet until Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood is restored.
“Until the statehood is returned, we will not be part of the cabinet, though we support the government from outside,” he told the Kashmir News Service (KNS) during an interview.
Karra described the demand for statehood as central to the region’s future, recalling how the special status was revoked on August 5, 2019, which resulted in the loss of fundamental rights for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said despite repeated promises from the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, and directions from the Supreme Court to restore statehood, the government has yet to act. “We have been raising this demand for a long time, and when it was not addressed, we turned it into a movement,” he said, explaining that the campaign has covered all districts of Jammu and Kashmir and will continue until statehood is restored.
Responding to speculation about upcoming elections, Karra dismissed these as psychological pressure tactics rather than reality.
He said that the current political situation and alliance dynamics differ from those during the election period, and cooperation among parties varies accordingly.“If you look for statehood, then elections will follow. This is more psychological pressure than reality,” he said.
Karra pointed out administrative difficulties caused by the dual control system in Jammu and Kashmir. He said, “It has created so much confusion that even officers are shifted frequently, and work that should take days is delayed for months.”
He added that this uncertainty affects politicians, government officials, and citizens alike.
Addressing alliance issues, Karra said complaints have been received from various constituencies that Congress workers are not being accommodated according to the spirit of the alliance. “It seems that all MLAs are satisfied with the current government running, but as long as this dual control system remains, those in government and their supporters are unhappy,” he said.
Karra explained that the alliance was formed to remove the BJP from power and the secretariat, a goal they have achieved. However, he expressed concern that pending administrative rules and the lack of statehood restoration continue to fuel confusion and discontentment.
He said that until statehood is restored, Jammu and Kashmir will face ongoing challenges in governance and political stability.(KNS).
