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Over a week after a three-member fact-finding committee completed its initial exercise, the Indian National Congress on Thursday suspended two senior leaders of its Jammu and Kashmir unit from the party’s primary membership with immediate effect.

An official party release said the action was taken over alleged “anti-party activities.”

According to a communication issued by the All India Congress Committee (AICC), Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge approved the suspension of AICC members Mohammad Anwar Bhat and Bashir Ahmed Khan from Jammu and Kashmir.

The AICC letter stated: “The Hon’ble Congress President has approved the suspension of the AICC members from Jammu and Kashmir from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress with immediate effect due to their anti-party activities in the state.”

However, party leaders did not specify the allegations of “anti-party activities” against the two leaders.

Sources said reports of internal strife within the Jammu and Kashmir Congress have been surfacing over the past few months. Complaints of leaders deviating from the party line and opposing organisational decisions at the local level had reportedly reached the party high command on several occasions.

Who Are the Suspended Leaders?

Mohammad Anwar Bhat and Bashir Ahmed Khan are both considered senior leaders of the Jammu and Kashmir Congress and have been associated with the party organisation at the national level as AICC members. Anwar Bhat has long overseen organisational affairs in the Kashmir Valley, while Bashir Ahmed Khan is regarded as an influential leader in parts of the Jammu division.

Following the suspension, discussions intensified within the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC). A senior party functionary, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the high command had sought to send a clear message that indiscipline would not be tolerated at any level.

Three-Member Panel Constituted on June 12

After dissident leaders launched an aggressive campaign against incumbent JKPCC president Tariq Hamid Karra, the Congress high command on June 12 constituted a three-member panel to investigate the ongoing infighting within the party.

The committee was tasked with probing reported cases of indiscipline and anti-party activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

The panel comprises Shaktisinh Gohil as convener, Dr Amar Singh as a member, and Rafeek Khan as a member.

It was assigned the responsibility of investigating complaints and reports of alleged indiscipline and activities considered detrimental to the party’s interests in Jammu and Kashmir.

Congress Leaders Earlier Summoned to New Delhi

As reported earlier, five prominent Congress leaders from Jammu and Kashmir were summoned to New Delhi on June 9 by the party high command for a crucial meeting aimed at enforcing a “ceasefire” between rival factions.

The meeting was convened after infighting within the J&K Congress unit took an ugly turn, with senior leaders publicly attacking one another.

Those summoned included AICC General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Hamid Karra, JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla, former JKPCC President Vikar Rasool Wani, and former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand.

As reported earlier, the Congress high command had taken serious note of statements made by some senior leaders, particularly former J&K Congress president and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Vikar Rasool Wani, who has been openly critical of incumbent JKPCC chief Tariq Hamid Karra.

Fact-Finding Panel Visits Srinagar

The fact-finding committee visited Srinagar during the last week of June, completed its three-day exercise, and returned to New Delhi.

Leaders from across Jammu and Kashmir were invited to the summer capital to share their views on the ongoing infighting, factionalism, and indiscipline within the party.

During its stay in Srinagar, the committee held extensive consultations with more than 70 party leaders, including former ministers, former legislators, office-bearers of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), and representatives of various frontal organisations.

Sources said the panel met several leaders individually, while others appeared in groups to present their views on the prevailing situation within the party.

According to sources, the incumbent JKPCC leadership has submitted material, including video clips, allegedly showing some leaders publicly levelling serious allegations against fellow party members. The inquiry committee is expected to examine these materials as part of its investigation.