Tarigami rubbishes reports of differences in conglomerate
Srinagar: Leaders of political parties associated with People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) have failed to build a consensus regarding the agenda of meeting from last three months.
Sources informed KNS that a consensus is eluding the partners after fissures have grown among its second- and third-rung leaders over the issue of seat-sharing during DDC elections.
“The bias in the seat-sharing at many places led to alliance partners fought against each other,” the source said.
Some of the leaders informed that “one would hope that the violation of the arrangement would be followed up by disciplinary action or at least some form of reconciliation talks. None of the two happened.”
When contacted senior leader and allay of PAGD Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami said that a meeting happened after DDC elections ended. “Delay is due to some personal engagements of various leaders. In my opinion meeting should be called soon. There shouldn’t be more delay. The alliance was formed for safeguarding constitutional and democratic rights of people of Jammu and Kashmir. We are hopeful that alliance chairman will call to discuss the current situation.”
On being asked whether he is in touch with Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, he said, “I do talk with them but no formal meeting has taken place. I am hopeful it will be called soon”
He added that chairman of alliance has always sent the invitation for meetings.
Asked, about separate meetings, public reach out programmes of different key leaders of alliance parties. “There is no harm in organizing meetings, programmes separately at own party level.”
He rubbished claims of any differences in PAGD. “Why would there be differences. It is responsibility of everyone to work to safeguard constitutional guarantees of people of Jammu and Kashmir. Even it is responsibility of civil society, people of all regions of J&K”
Asked whether the exit of Sajad Gani Lone from PAGD is a reason for freeze in PAGD activities, he said, “His leaving was unfortunate. But that has nothing to do with it. Meetings should happen in any case.” Another senior PAGD leader and Awami National Conference (ANC) Vice-President Muzaffar Shah said PAGD leadership should see why there is no meeting taking place and added that internal pressures in political parties are hindering the meeting , “PAGD is for restoration of Article 370 and election also. It is fine to carry own party activities but we have to fight election together. Otherwise we would be nowhere. We are six or seven executive members. PAGD leadership has to see why there was no meeting. PAGD is a power which has to be presented before people in such a way that no power can exist before it.
“Parties have their many internal pressures that is why it is not happening. National Conference is leading the PAGD and PDP is its second important constituent. It is responsibility of these parties to come clear,” he said. (KNS)
