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Journalism of Courage
In what may well be an anticlimax for the Congress, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is unlikely to campaign for it for the coming polls. The Congress was hoping to use Mufti as a medium to send the message of possible alliances with other like-minded parties at a time when premium is being put on parties with a ‘‘coalition-friendly’’ mindset.
However, Congress sources confirm that Mufti has not shown any interest in campaigning for the party — either in J-K or other states. ‘‘If he does not campaign for the Congress, it will not make any difference. We have many senior central leaders who are scheduled to address meetings here,’’ says a Congress leader. The twist in the tale seems to have been born out of the controversial Permanent Resident (Disqualification) Bill. Both parties hold diametrically opposite views on the Bill — the Congress opposes it, while the PDP supports it. However, PDP sources say that one reasons for Sayeed’s unavailability for Congress is that he will be busy campaigning for his own party. ‘‘These polls are crucial and we want Mufti to give maximum time for party candidates,’’ says a PDP office-bearer. With the Congress not having any charismatic leader in the state except PCC chief Ghulam Nabi Azad, the party will depend heavily on central leaders. With Sonia’s election tour still unfinished, the state leaders are trying their best to put Jammu on her itinerary.
