Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, May 1 

National Conference President Farooq Abdullah Friday said the opposition INDIA bloc, particularly the Congress, had failed to support the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood with the “expected vigour.”

In an interview with Press Trust of India, Abdullah said his party remained committed to the INDIA bloc but expressed disappointment over what he described as the alliance’s weak response on Jammu and Kashmir’s issues.

“That has been our biggest objection to this national alliance,” Abdullah said. “We had hoped they would fight for our cause with far more vigour. That has not happened.”

The veteran politician said the alliance should function beyond electoral politics and hold regular meetings to address national concerns and the issue of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.

Abdullah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured National Conference leaders that statehood would be restored, though no timeline had been specified.

He said he hoped the Centre would take a decision after assembly elections in various states were completed, but added that the party could move the Supreme Court of India if there was no progress.

The Supreme Court, while upholding the Abrogation of Article 370 in December 2023, directed that Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood be restored “at the earliest.”

Abdullah also criticised the opposition for failing to project a leader capable of effectively countering Modi politically and urged opposition leaders to connect more directly with the public.

“Don’t bluff the people,” he said. “People are far more intelligent than one realises.”