Congress distances itself from leaders’ remarks on Pahalgam attack, reaffirms CWC stand
New Delhi: Amid mounting criticism from the BJP over divergent statements by senior Congress leaders on the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, the Congress on Monday clarified that such remarks do not represent the party’s official position.
Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said the party's stance is outlined solely in the resolution passed by the Congress Working Committee (CWC) two days ago. "Some Congress leaders have been speaking to the media. They speak for themselves and do not reflect the party’s views," he said.
The clarification came after a row was triggered by comments from senior party figures including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Mani Shankar Aiyar, Shashi Tharoor, Tariq Hameed Karra, and former Union minister Saifuddin Soz.
Last week, Siddaramaiah called for the implementation of strict security measures in response to the attack. The CWC, however, had described the Pahalgam incident as a “direct assault” on the values of the Indian republic and demanded a thorough investigation into possible intelligence failures and security lapses.
Reiterating the party’s official line, Ramesh emphasised that the views of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and authorised AICC office-bearers are the only ones that reflect the party’s position.
Meanwhile, Kharge criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for skipping the all-party meeting convened on the Pahalgam attack, accusing the BJP of fostering division in the country.
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Drug peddler's property worth Rs 1 crore attached in Srinagar
Srinagar (PTI): Property worth Rs 1 crore belonging to a notorious drug peddler was on Saturday attached in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, police said.
A double-storey house on eight marlas of land situated at Wantpora Eidgah, belonging to Basit Bilal Dar, a notorious drug peddler, valued at approximately Rs 1 crore, a police spokesperson said.
He said Dar is involved in two cases registered under various sections of the NDPS Act.
During investigation, it was established that the accused had acquired the said property through illicit proceeds generated from drug trafficking activities, the spokesperson said.
Consequently, the property was attached under the provisions of the NDPS Act. The attachment proceedings were conducted in the presence of the two independent witnesses, strictly in accordance with the prescribed legal procedures, he said.
As per the attachment order, the owner has been restrained from selling, leasing, transferring, altering, or creating any third-party interest in the property till further orders, the spokesperson added.
