Congress searches for J&K PCC chief, holds meet

As AICC representatives held meetings with a group of senior J&K leaders to try and iron out differences over the names proposed to head PCC in the poll-bound Union Territory, many of them favoured Ghulam Nabi Azad, people privy to the discussions said, adding that only he can unite the faction-ridden J&K Congress. ET has learnt that the former CM, also the leader of the Congress change-seekers, 'kept his cards close to his chest at the meeting'. The search for a new PCC chief follows the resignation of incumbent Ghulam Ahmed Mir.

The meetings were held on Tuesday and Wednesday with about 18 select senior J&K leaders after the first name in the high command's shortlist for the PCC top post, Vikar Rasool Wani, evoked protests from many among them, and the remaining three in the shortlist - Peerzada Sayed, Ghulam Mohd Saroori and Tariq Hameed Karra - too didn't evoke much unanimity. The high command representatives had to assure the leaders that the buzz about leadership already deciding on Wani "is not true" and that the leadership will finalise a choice only after taking inputs from the meetings.

It is learnt that many J&K leaders opined that Azad has nquestionable credentials, experience and acceptability to lead and unite the Congress across J&K ahead of the polls.


"Azad Sahab just heard these comments and made no response. During his intervention, he stressed on the need for leaders to unite by sinking internal differences," said a participant.

AICC general secretary (org) KC Venugopal later tweeted, "... The Congress party will work unitedly for the betterment of the people of Jammu & Kashmir." Azad was not available for comments. AICC in-charge Rajni Patil and outgoing PCC chief Mir too were present.

The relationship between the high command and Azad soured since he became a leading light of the change-seekers, resulting in his subsequent denial of a Rajya Sabha re-nomination and exit as the leader of opposition in the Upper House. Whether or not Azad would be interested in, or considered for, heading the PCC, he is considered across the political turf of J&K as a high-utility leader for elections.