CM Omar Abdullah poses with NC MLAs before departing for the party’s off-site meeting at Dachigam.
By Tehelka Web Desk
The ruling National Conference (NC) on Wednesday decided to hold a protest in New Delhi on the first day of Parliament’s monsoon session to press for the restoration of statehood and constitutional guarantees for Jammu and Kashmir.
The decision was taken at a day-long meeting of NC legislators chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Dachigam on the outskirts of Srinagar.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, NC spokesperson and legislator Tanvir Sadiq said, “The NC Legislature Party has decided to go to Delhi and protest on the first day of the monsoon session. It is time for our leadership to go to Delhi and talk to the people there. We will press for the restoration of Statehood and constitutional guarantees for Jammu and Kashmir.”
The meeting, attended by all 42 NC legislators, reviewed the party’s performance during the past 19 months and discussed political and governance-related issues.
Mr. Sadiq said the party leadership stressed the need “to intensify efforts for restoration of what was taken away from Jammu and Kashmir after the constitutional changes of 2019,” referring to the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories.
The legislators also discussed the relationship between the NC and its alliance partner, Congress. The Congress has stayed out of the Omar Abdullah-led government, maintaining that it would join only after the restoration of statehood.
“A threadbare discussion on all important issues was held. The relationship of Congress and the government was also discussed. The Chief Minister patiently listened to everyone and all legislators participated in the deliberations,” Mr. Sadiq said.
According to him, the meeting covered a wide range of issues, including development, drug abuse and concerns specific to Jammu, Kashmir, Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley regions.
On the possibility of a cabinet expansion, with three ministerial positions still vacant, Mr. Sadiq said, “It was the prerogative of the Chief Minister. He will take a decision whenever he feels it appropriate”.
Earlier, Mr. Abdullah said on social media that the legislators were gathering for an off-site review meeting.
“We are off for an off-site to spend the day taking stock of the last 19 months — the good, the not so good and everything in between,” he posted on X.
The meeting comes amid growing demands within the NC for cabinet expansion and concerns among some legislators over the functioning of the dual power structure in the Union Territory. It also follows a recent letter from PDP president Mehbooba Mufti urging Mr. Abdullah to build a united front to seek dialogue with the Centre. The NC has not yet formally responded to the proposal.
