Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, June 3

Ruling National Conference (NC) will stage a protest in New Delhi on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session to press for the restoration of statehood and constitutional guarantees to Jammu and Kashmir, party leaders said after a day-long strategy meeting on Wednesday.

The decision was taken at a seven-hour meeting of NC legislators, ministers, Members of Parliament, independent lawmakers supporting the government and CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami, chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Dachigam on the outskirts of Srinagar.

NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said the party had unanimously resolved to intensify its campaign for the restoration of statehood and constitutional safeguards.

“The National Conference has decided that on the first day of the Monsoon Session, our legislative party, including MPs, MLAs and allies, will go to Delhi to protest. Our primary demand will be the return of our statehood and constitutional guarantees,” Sadiq told reporters after the meeting.

Senior NC leader and minister Javed Rana said the party would seek support from political parties across Jammu and Kashmir for the protest, describing statehood as an issue that transcends party affiliations.

“We will invite all political parties from Jammu and Kashmir to join the protest. The issue of statehood concerns every citizen of the Union Territory and goes beyond party lines,” Rana said.

The meeting reviewed governance, development, public welfare and organisational matters, but discussions were dominated by the demand for restoration of statehood and constitutional safeguards, party leaders said.

Sadiq said legislators also discussed issues including unemployment, drug abuse, alcohol-related concerns, economic challenges and the government’s performance over recent months.

The leaders also discussed growing calls for a ban on liquor in Jammu and Kashmir. Rana said the government had constituted a committee to examine the proposal and submit recommendations to the chief minister before any decision is taken.

The meeting drew political attention after NC legislators, initially asked to assemble at the chief minister’s official residence, were transported by bus to an off-site venue in Dachigam National Park, prompting speculation from opposition parties about possible divisions within the ruling camp.

The deliberations came amid claims by Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma that some legislators were dissatisfied with the functioning of ministers in the NC-led government.

Abdullah dismissed suggestions of secrecy or instability, saying the off-site meeting had been planned as a stocktaking exercise to assess the government’s achievements, shortcomings and future priorities.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, legislators raised concerns about developmental works, constituency grievances, implementation delays and the functioning of some departments. Some lawmakers also complained about ministers’ responsiveness and coordination with elected representatives.

Sources said ministers facing complaints were asked to address legislators’ concerns within a month and improve coordination with MLAs.

The meeting was also seen as a show of unity within the ruling alliance, with NC legislators, MPs, independent supporters and Tarigami participating. However, NC Lok Sabha MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, who has publicly differed with the party leadership on political issues, did not attend the gathering.

In a statement posted on its official X account after the meeting, the National Conference said participants unanimously resolved to hold a protest in New Delhi on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session to demand the immediate restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and constitutional guarantees.