By IANS,
Jammu : National Conference President Farooq Abdullah is all set to stay as head of the party as no other leader in his party is willing to contest against him.
The organisational elections of National Conference, ruling the state in alliance with Congress, were long over due. “The whole process should have been completed by December-end last year,” a senior party leader told IANS on condition of anonymity.
Farooq Abdullah had announced last month that the organisational elections would be held soon at all levels as many posts in the party, including that of the block, district and zonal presidents were vacant.
Farooq had assumed the charge of the president of the party he took over from his son, Omar Abdullah, in January 2009, when the latter became chief minister of the state.
The post of the party has always stayed with the Abdullah family since the time of its founder, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. Sheikh Abdullah had passed on the baton to his son Farooq Abdullah, who in turn had passed it on to Omar, but again took over in 2009.
“Our party is ailing, it needs a direction and since the authority of Farooq Abdullah in the party remains unchallenged, there is no question of anyone seeking his replacement,” the NC leader said.
He referred to the party president being outside of the state – Farooq Abdullah also is the union minister and has to attend to his ministerial duties as well. Party general secretary Sheikh Nazir is terminally ill, and the nominated party leaders are holding the posts of the provincial presidents in the Valley and Jammu.
“This is the shape and health of our party,” the leader rued .
The party is hoping there would be democratic elections and do not foresee any change in the top leadership of the party anytime soon. Under the NC’s constitution, the organisational elections must be held after every two years.
“Farooq sahib will continue to be president, whether or not the organisational elections are held,” the leader privy to organisational matters said.