SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday chaired a day-long off-site meeting of National Conference legislators, Members of Parliament and alliance partners at Dachigam National Park amid fresh political speculation triggered by Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma’s claim that the NC-led government “can fall anytime.”
The seven-hour meeting, attended by NC MLAs, ministers, MPs, alliance partners and Independent legislators supporting the government, culminated in a major political decision, with the party announcing a protest in New Delhi on the opening day of Parliament’s upcoming Monsoon Session to demand restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and constitutional guarantees.
Earlier in the day, political circles were abuzz after Omar Abdullah convened legislators for a meeting away from the usual political setting.
In the invitation letter sent to legislators on May 30, the Chief Minister had scheduled the meeting at his Gupkar residence to deliberate upon “matters of collective importance” and issues concerning public welfare. However, in a surprise move, legislators first assembled at the Chief Minister’s Public Services & Outreach Office, Raabita, on Gupkar Road adjacent to his residence, before being transported in multiple vehicles to Dachigam National Park.
The MLAs were asked to enter the Chief Minister’s residence where three vehicles had already been kept ready in advance. As legislators emerged from the residence and boarded the vehicles, media personnel stationed outside were caught off guard over the sudden change in venue.
At 10:38 AM, Omar Abdullah posted photographs on X showing legislators travelling together in buses and wrote: “We are off for an off-site to spend the day taking stock of the last 19 months — the good, the not so good & everything in between.”
Adding to the intrigue, National Conference MLA Bashir Ahmad Veeri posted minutes later that they had crossed Shalimar and were heading towards an “unknown destination,” although both Veeri and the Chief Minister were travelling in the same vehicle.
At around 11 AM, the legislators reached Dachigam National Park and proceeded to the historic Indira Guest House, where former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi used to stay. The meeting was held in the lawns of the guest house, with ministers and legislators reportedly keeping their phones switched off during the deliberations.
The unusual off-site gathering came amid remarks by BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, who claimed that several ruling alliance legislators were on the verge of switching sides and alleged that the National Conference government may not complete its term.
Responding to speculation over the meeting venue, Omar Abdullah later clarified that the off-site gathering was pre-planned and not a last-minute shift.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you but it has NOT ‘been shifted at the last moment’. It was always my intention to conduct this meeting off-site and all arrangements had been made days in advance at the location originally chosen by me,” the Chief Minister wrote on X.
According to party sources, the meeting primarily focused on reviewing the government’s performance over the past 19 months and discussing political, administrative and developmental challenges confronting Jammu and Kashmir.
Following the deliberations, the National Conference announced that its legislators, MPs and alliance partners would travel to New Delhi on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session to stage a protest demanding restoration of statehood and constitutional safeguards.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, NC Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said the leadership believed “the time has come” to go to Delhi and reclaim what had been taken away from the people of Jammu and Kashmir following the 2019 constitutional changes.
“The National Conference legislature party will go to New Delhi on the first day of the Monsoon Session and hold a protest at Jantar Mantar or another finalized venue to demand restoration of statehood and constitutional rights,” Sadiq said.
He said detailed deliberations were held on a range of issues including restoration of statehood and special status, unemployment, drug abuse, alcoholism, reservation policy, regularisation of daily wagers and casual employees, governance and developmental concerns across Jammu and Kashmir.
Sadiq said discussions also covered issues affecting different regions, including Kashmir, Jammu, Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley, with special focus on unemployment, drug abuse and developmental challenges.
Replying to a question on the guarantees being sought, he reiterated that restoration of full statehood and constitutional safeguards remained the National Conference’s long-standing demand.
He also asserted that all MLAs, MPs and alliance partners attended the meeting and discussions were held in a “highly positive atmosphere.”
When asked about criticism from opposition leaders, including BJP, PDP and CPI(M), Sadiq dismissed the remarks, saying every decision taken during the meeting was aimed at protecting the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
On questions related to administrative extensions, he said such matters fall solely within the prerogative of the Chief Minister.
Among those who attended the meeting were senior National Conference leaders, ministers, legislators, Members of Parliament and Independent MLAs supporting the government. A group photograph released after the deliberations showed the participants gathered at the Dachigam venue following the day-long discussions on governance, statehood and political strategy.
In a post on X after the meeting, the National Conference said the deliberations covered restoration of statehood and special status, unemployment, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, reservation policy, regularisation of daily wagers and casual employees, governance and development.
“The meeting unanimously resolved that JKNC will hold a protest in New Delhi on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session to demand the immediate restoration of Jammu & Kashmir’s Statehood and constitutional guarantees,” the party said in the post.
