NC’s Delhi Protest Marks Beginning of Larger Democratic Campaign; CM Accuses Rivals of Twisting Party’s Stand
Srinagar, July 21 :
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Tuesday declared that the restoration of full statehood is the party’s immediate and foremost objective, asserting that the demand for Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional safeguards can only be meaningfully pursued after statehood is restored.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar following the National Conference’s protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, Omar Abdullah described the demonstration as the first phase of a sustained democratic movement, making it clear that the party would continue its political campaign until the Union Government fulfils its commitment to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the National Conference remains firmly committed to its long-standing political agenda and has not deviated from its core principles. Omar recalled that the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly had already passed a resolution concerning the region’s constitutional position, adding that the party would continue its efforts on all constitutional matters after achieving the restoration of statehood.
The Chief Minister said the Centre had repeatedly assured both Parliament and the Supreme Court that Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood would be restored, stressing that the National Conference was merely demanding implementation of those assurances rather than seeking any political concession.
Taking a swipe at opposition parties, Omar Abdullah accused them of deliberately misrepresenting the National Conference’s position on statehood. He said criticism of the Delhi protest was politically motivated and insisted that the party had been left with no option but to launch a democratic agitation after waiting nearly two years for the Centre to honour its promise.
He further asserted that the National Conference would not alter or compromise its political agenda under pressure from rivals and would continue pursuing constitutional and democratic methods to safeguard the rights and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Reaffirming the party’s resolve, Omar Abdullah said the protest in the national capital was only the beginning of a broader campaign and warned that the movement would be intensified if the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s full statehood continued to be delayed by the Centre.(KNC)