05-10-2005, 01:47 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Religion binds Cong, NC, BJP in J&K
Mohit Kandhari/ Jammu
Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing a rare convergence of three political parties - Congress, National Conference and Bhartiya Janta Party - for the first time in the history of the state politics.
The motive behind sharing the same political space is apolitical and religious but many in the winter capital say there is an element of politics involved in it. On their part, all these political parties want to teach their common enemy - PDP leader and Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed - a bitter lesson and have already joined hands to check his growing influence over day-to-day working of the Shri Amarnath Shrine board in the run- up to the annual pilgrimage in South Kashmir starting from June 21.
Last year too, Mufti created a piquant situation for the Raj Bhawan by saying the annual pilgrimage would not be extended beyond a month.
Now this year, as preparations for the yatra get underway, the state government has resorted to legal recourse challenging the autonomy of the Shrine board, while arguing that its jurisdiction is limited to the area of the cave and surroundings.
The ongoing war of words between the two coalition partners - the Congress and the PDP - over the issue of exercising undue control over Shrine board has already attracted adverse media attention and Mufti has been showcased as the villain behind the scene.
Sources in the state government admit that Chief Minister has been hurt by the manner in which he has been portrayed by his chief ally - Congress - as the bad boy.
On Monday, Mufti's woes were further compounded when former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah alleged that Mufti Mohd Sayeed's stand on the issue may not be enough to convince the majority community that the state government is restricting the duration of the yatra because of security concers. "I sincerely advise you do not interfere in the working of Shri Amarnath Shrine board. Let them decide the duration of the yatra and facitilities to the extended to the pilgrims, restrict your role to that of the facilitator," Farooq had said.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Mohit Kandhari/ Jammu
Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing a rare convergence of three political parties - Congress, National Conference and Bhartiya Janta Party - for the first time in the history of the state politics.
The motive behind sharing the same political space is apolitical and religious but many in the winter capital say there is an element of politics involved in it. On their part, all these political parties want to teach their common enemy - PDP leader and Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed - a bitter lesson and have already joined hands to check his growing influence over day-to-day working of the Shri Amarnath Shrine board in the run- up to the annual pilgrimage in South Kashmir starting from June 21.
Last year too, Mufti created a piquant situation for the Raj Bhawan by saying the annual pilgrimage would not be extended beyond a month.
Now this year, as preparations for the yatra get underway, the state government has resorted to legal recourse challenging the autonomy of the Shrine board, while arguing that its jurisdiction is limited to the area of the cave and surroundings.
The ongoing war of words between the two coalition partners - the Congress and the PDP - over the issue of exercising undue control over Shrine board has already attracted adverse media attention and Mufti has been showcased as the villain behind the scene.
Sources in the state government admit that Chief Minister has been hurt by the manner in which he has been portrayed by his chief ally - Congress - as the bad boy.
On Monday, Mufti's woes were further compounded when former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah alleged that Mufti Mohd Sayeed's stand on the issue may not be enough to convince the majority community that the state government is restricting the duration of the yatra because of security concers. "I sincerely advise you do not interfere in the working of Shri Amarnath Shrine board. Let them decide the duration of the yatra and facitilities to the extended to the pilgrims, restrict your role to that of the facilitator," Farooq had said.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->