The Hindu : NC makes gains in Kargil

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Sunday, Aug 17, 2003

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NC makes gains in Kargil

By Our Staff Reporter

Jammu Aug. 16. The National Conference has made a comeback in the elections to the Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Council giving its senior leaders a reason to smile.

A small event in the bigger landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, elections to the Council were held in the second week of July.It acquired importance as it tested the strength of the Congress in the border district, scene of the infamous Kargil conflict. Of the 26 seats to be filled, elections were held for 23 seats. In the three seats reserved for the Buddhist-dominated Zanskar sub-division there was a complete boycott. The Buddhists boycotted the elections after their demand for at least 10 seats was rejected.

At the first meeting of the Council on Thursday, 13 of the 23 councillors elected the NC leader and former Minister, Qamar Ali Akhoon, as the Chief Executive Councillor who would have an equivalent rank to a cabinet minister.

The State Government formally constituted the Council just before the elections last month drawing criticism from the NC for the long delay. The NC also accused the Government of trying its best not to let the NC nominee become Chief Executive Councillor. The Kargil council would now have the powers for sanctioning development works with a limit of Rs. five crores.Talking to The Hindu, Asghar Karbali, a senior leader, said, "the constitution of the Council should not be seen with a political eye.

The main task for us would be to concentrate on the developmental side and we have evolved a consensus on this to make this border district an abode of prosperity".

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