Immobilization, Guru’s execution, 2010 killings, disconnect surfaced in meeting
Srinagar: Continuing with its assessment meetings on its worst ever performance in just concluded Lok Sabah elections in Kashmir, the National Conference leadership for the second consecutive day on Monday met at Gupkar here deliberating on probable causes including lack of mobilization apparently responsible for its defeat.
Informed sources revealed to KNS, that the NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah chaired a meeting of party Core Group which was attended by many senior leaders including chief minister Omar Abdullah.
The other party veterans who attended the meeting included Abdul Rahim Rather, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Choudhry Mohammad Ramzan, Mohammad Akbar Lone, Mohammad Shafi Uri, S S Slathia, Ajay Sadhotra, Nasir Aslam Wani and Devinder Rana. Party sources revealed to KNS, that the Core Group discussed pre poll alliance with Congress, cross voting, low voter share in NC constituencies, future strategy and a wide disconnect with the people.
Sources said that the Core Group was unanimous that the execution of Mohammad Afzal Guru the parliament attack convict and over 120 civilian killings in 2010 had a huge impact on public mood that was reflected in a verdict against the NC. Many NC veterans in the Core Group gave vent to their inert feelings about a marriage of inconvenience with the Congress.
“The entire core group shared this opinion that many of the ill planned policies particularly that of execution of Guru affected NC’s influence on ground,” a senior NC leader told KNS pleading anonymity. “The Core Group also discussed worst performance of the party in its own bastions particularly in Central and North Kashmir. The groups stressed on need to reach out to people and know their grievances against NC,” another senior NC leader told KNS wishing not to be named.
The assessment and analysis of the poor performance shown by National Conference will continue on Tuesday in its district upto block level meeting scheduled to be held at Nawah-e-Subh complex. The Tuesday’s meeting will be attended by provincial, district upto block level party office bearers besides its legislators and the candidates who in vain fought the Lok Sabha elections this year. “Since the block level workers are the backbone of any party and they are the ones to give a factual feedback to the party. The Tuesday’s meeting will continue deliberations on key issues from pre-poll alliance with its coalition partner Congress, cross voting, impact of national issues, Afzal Guru hanging, 2010 killings, local developmental issues and a wide disconnect with the youth,” said a NC minister who attended the core group meeting on Monday. (KNS)