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| NC widens statehood push, invites INDIA bloc, non-NDA parties for Delhi protest | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, July 2: The ruling National Conference (NC) has decided to invite all INDIA bloc constituents, non-NDA political parties, and major Jammu and Kashmir-based political organisations to join its proposed protest in New Delhi demanding the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting of senior party leaders chaired by National Conference president Farooq Abdullah at his Gupkar residence in Srinagar on Wednesday evening.
The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, NC General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, senior ministers, legislators, Members of Parliament, and other top party functionaries.
The leaders deliberated on the party's strategy to intensify its campaign for the restoration of statehood, which remains the National Conference's principal political demand.
A party spokesperson said the meeting resolved to broaden the outreach by inviting not only parties that are part of the INDIA bloc but also political parties that are not aligned with either the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) or the opposition alliance.
"It was also decided to send invitations to leaders of political parties that are not part of the INDIA bloc but are also not aligned with the NDA, seeking their support for the demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir," the spokesperson said.
The invitations will be formally sent by NC president Farooq Abdullah to the respective party leaders in the coming days.
The proposed protest is scheduled to be held at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, beginning on July 20. The demonstration is expected to witness the participation of all National Conference Members of Parliament, legislators, ministers, and senior party leaders.
Sources said Independent MP and former National Conference leader Aga Ruhullah Mehdi is also expected to join the protest in his individual capacity, although no formal invitation has been extended to him by the party.
The National Conference has been consistently pressing the Union Government to fulfil its commitment to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, which was reorganised into two Union Territories in August 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370.
Significantly, during the recent INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah sought the support of opposition leaders for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He urged allied parties to raise the issue collectively in Parliament and extend political backing to the demand, describing the restoration of statehood as essential for strengthening democratic governance in the Union Territory.
The proposed protest at Jantar Mantar is expected to be the National Conference's first major political mobilisation in the national capital on the issue since assuming office and is likely to intensify pressure on the Centre ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. |
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