National Conference, PDP fight over new issue -- Anna Hazare

Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption crusade has given a new reason for the ruling National Conference and the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to spar over in the strife-torn Jammu & Kashmir.

Leading the charge is the ruling National Conference (NC), which has emulated Congress leader Digvijay Singh and called Anna Hazare an “outsider backed by RSS” who cannot solve the problem of corruption in Jammu & Kashmir.

This follows PDP’s criticism to civil society, including Anna Hazare, for maintaining silence over the political corruption in Jammu & Kashmir. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti had lambasted civil society for failing to act against the corruption.

“The demand of the PDP president Mehbooba Mufti to seek Anna Hazare’s intervention in the affairs of the state is both surprising and confusing, particularly in view of the recent revelation of his RSS connections,” said Mustafa Kamaal, additional general secretary and chief spokesman of NC.

Kamaal, who is the uncle of chief minister Omar Abdullah, said corruption is a menace which has to be fought, and they do not need Anna Hazares’; all people in the state have to put their heads together and fight this menace united.

“Mehbooba Mufti needs Anna Hazare, but National Conference needs the people of the state and its own institutions to fight this menace. PDP seems to have lost its agenda and has become politically bankrupt. That’s why sacrificing its rhetoric of ‘self rule’, they are now requesting RSS-backed Anna Hazare to come to J&K,” he said.