New Delhi, July 25: Amid demands by some partymen in Jammu and Kashmir for his removal, state Congress chief Saifuddin Soz has met party chief Sonia Gandhi who is understood to have backed him. Gandhi is believed to have told him to work for strengthening the party, ensure “discipline” and promote stability of the Congress-National Conference government, sources said today.
When contacted, Soz confirmed the meeting that took place last evening but refused to divulge details. The meeting assumes significance as it comes amid demands by some partymen of the state unit for Soz”s removal as PCC chief.
The rebellion is led by former PCC president Choudhary Aslam and Abdul Gani Vakil. Aslam is unhappy as he has not been included in the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, which he alleged was done at the behest of Soz and Prithviraj Chavan, AICC in-charge of the party affairs of the state.
The party tried to rehabilitate Aslam by offering the post of Gujjar Board Chairman but he rejected it. Congress has already made it clear that there is no move to remove Soz and indicated that the Water Resources Minister in the previous UPA government is likely to be given some important political assignment that will be equivalent to a Cabinet rank post.
—PTI–