Congress starts 'damage control exercise' against PDP in J

Jammu, Apr 3 (UNI) Creation of new administrative units in Jammu and Kashmir is being used by the Congress to drum up support as it starts its 'damage control exercise' against People's Democratic Party by holding public rallies in the newly-created district to highlight its developmental achievements.

The party, which is leading the coalition government in its second half of six-year term, is holding public rallies in all the newly-created districts with Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad as the main speaker.

According to the Common Minimum Programme (CMP), the government had to create three districts in Jammu region, but going ahead, it created eight districts, four each in Jammu and Kashmir regions.

Yesterday -- a day after the administrative units became functional on April 1 -- the Congress started public rallies in all newly-created districts, beginning from Shri Mata Vaishnodevi base town of Katra in Reasi.

In the political circles the move by the Congress is being seen as a ''damage control exercise'' against its main coalition partner People's Democratic Party (PDP), which has been raising slogans of Self-Rule and demilitarisation in J and K.

PDP has been racking up the demand of demilitarisation in J and K while Congress leaders, including the Chief Minister, have opposed it outrightly.

Showcasing the deepening crisis in the state government, PDP supporters and Congressmen yesterday clashed at Ganderbal (in Kashmir) as both the major parties in the coalition claimed credit for creation of new revenue district.

Looking at the present political situation, party sources said, he Congress is focusing on image-building by highlighting developmental works done during its tenure.

In the public rally at Katra Mr Azad has said, ''By sanctioning eight new districts and other administrative units across the state a long cherished demand of people has been realised.'' This would help take administration to every area and help speedy and equitable development, he has said.

''We have set in motion development and peace process and far-reaching decisions for the benefit of the state have been taken to give it considerable acceleration,'' he has added.

Taking ''equality to both the regions of Jammu and Kashmir'' into consideration, the Chief Minister today held rally at Ganderbal in Kashmir region. ''Mr Azad will be addressing public rallies at all the new district headquarters in Jammu and Kashmir,'' sources in the Congress told UNI.

They said, the Chief Minister will address public rallies at all the newly created administrative units, including Samba, Ramban and Kishtwar in Jammu region, to make people aware of the works done by the Congress government in the state.

UNI