Jammu, Jul 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah left for New Delhi on Monday to participate in the National Conference’s protest demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The demonstration coincides with the commencement of Parliament’s Monsoon Session and is being led by National Conference president Farooq Abdullah. According to a party spokesperson, leaders, MLAs and legislators were scheduled to assemble at 5, Prithviraj Road at 10 a.m. before proceeding to the protest venue.
An official of the Constitution Club of India confirmed that the party had reserved Malvankar Hall for the programme from 11:00 a.m.
The National Conference had initially planned to hold its protest at Jantar Mantar and had sought permission for the venue. However, the plan was reportedly changed as the Cockroach Janta Party was already staging a sit-in there over its own demands. There were also reports that the party was considering shifting the protest to Ramlila Maidan before finalising the Constitution Club venue.
Omar Abdullah had reached Delhi with his father on Saturday but returned to Jammu on Sunday after cutting short his visit to chair a high-level review meeting following the devastating flash floods in the Poonch-Rajouri region and forecasts of moderate to heavy rainfall across the Union Territory until July 23.
After attending the emergency review meeting, the Chief Minister flew back to Delhi on Monday morning to join the National Conference’s statehood protest.
