JK min refutes colleague's charges, claims feud within party

The factionalism within the Jammu and Kashmir Congress unit came out in the open today, with state minister Taj Mohi-ud-Din alleging that there were attempts by his own colleagues to stop him from becoming the state chief.
"Exactly that is happening. For sheer political gains, there are attempts to bring bad name to me, as my name is in contention for the post of PCC president," Taj said.
His statement came a week after Sham Lal Sharma, his successor in the PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, told the Legislative Council that there were some gross irregularities in the department.

Following this, NC member Devender Singh Rana had sought formation of a House Committee to probe working of the entire department, but it was turned down by the Chairman yesterday.
Taj, who is currently the Medical Education, Youth Services and Sports Minister, has dismissed the allegations as political opportunism and internal bickering.
"This is only political and internal factionalism. Congress has been damaged because of this factionalism. I am with no faction and that is why they are afraid of me. Due to this fear they are giving a bad name," he said.

The minister said that it is wrong on part of Sharma to level the allegations without the reports of the committees formed to probe the working of the department.

Taj said he himself demands a probe by a joint committee of both the Houses to check all the records since 1992.
"I volunteer that a joint committee should be formed in this regard. Let them examine 20 years of working. I assure that I have no skeletons (to hide), I am proud of my work," he said.