Jammu/Srinagar, Sep 30 (KNS): Former senior Youth Congress leader Aasif Umar Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress General Secretary Mir Shehroz have raised questions over the functioning of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) in Jammu and Kashmir, including the restructuring of elected committees and appointment of office-bearers.

In a joint statement, the two leaders sought clarity from the IYC leadership over the procedures followed in recent organisational changes and questioned the role of IYC Secretary and J&K in-charge Maan Singh Rathore in the decisions.

They said the issue assumes significance as Jammu and Kashmir is the home region of IYC National President Uday Bhanu Chib, and questioned whether the organisational reforms associated with Rahul Gandhi's efforts to strengthen internal democracy in the Youth Congress and NSUI were being implemented in the Union Territory in the same spirit.

"Our concern is not about any individual. It is about institutional responsibility. When elected committees are repeatedly restructured and office-bearers are relieved or replaced, workers deserve to know the criteria, process and organisational rationale behind such decisions," the leaders said.

Abdullah and Shehroz referred to the removal of Aakash Bharat, who they said was elected as J&K Youth Congress president in the 2023 organisational elections.

They claimed Bharat had secured 13,948 votes in the election and was relieved of the post on June 29, 2026. The two leaders sought clarification on the rules and procedures governing the removal of elected office-bearers.

"If elected office-bearers can be removed or committees repeatedly restructured, workers are entitled to know how the applicable rules are being interpreted and how their electoral mandate is being treated," they said.

The leaders also raised questions over the reported appointment of an individual, whom they claimed is around 43 years old, as Assembly-level Youth Congress president in Kokernag. They sought clarity on the applicable age and eligibility criteria for such appointments.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

They also called for transparency regarding the organisational assessment behind successive changes, the process followed in selecting office-bearers and the extent to which grassroots workers were consulted.

The two leaders referred to concerns they said had been raised by workers over alleged family or close personal associations involving some individuals appointed to organisational positions. They said such concerns should be addressed through documented and transparent organisational procedures rather than personal allegations.

Abdullah and Shehroz also questioned what they described as an apparent contradiction in the current organisational arrangement, particularly the role of Assembly-level leadership in recommending office-bearers while committees are subsequently restructured.

They sought clarity on whether the Youth Congress in Jammu and Kashmir continues to follow an organisational model based on elections and grassroots participation or has shifted towards nominations and recommendations.

"Our concern is institutional. We are not seeking positions for ourselves. We are asking for clarity for workers, respect for elected mandates and transparency in appointments," the leaders said.

They urged the IYC national leadership to undertake a transparent review of the organisational changes in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly those involving elected office-bearers, restructuring of committees and criteria for fresh appointments.

They also sought clarity on the responsibilities of the J&K in-charge in implementing organisational decisions.

The two leaders said that if the recent restructuring and appointments were in accordance with the IYC Constitution and established organisational procedures, the relevant rules and decision-making criteria should be communicated to workers.

They said greater transparency would help maintain confidence among young Congress workers in internal organisational processes and democratic participation.(KNS)