Srinagar: Ruling National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday hoped that the Centre’s political posturing on Jammu and Kashmir will change soon and asserted that his party would continue its democratic and political struggle to restore constitutional rights of people of the Union Territory.
Addressing a function in Shopian district in south Kashmir, Abdullah also expressed hope that a political environment would emerge for meaningful dialogue between the Central and Jammu and Kashmir governments on the demands of the people.
“NC will continue its struggle for addressing the day-to-day issues and difficulties faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, fulfilling their demands and restoring their constitutional and democratic rights,” he said.
The three-time chief minister said the NC would not withdraw from its struggle for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and the constitutional and democratic rights of its people.
“The party has remained continuously engaged on this front and has consistently raised the demand for restoration of constitutional rights through rallies, marches, public gatherings and other political activities,” he said.
Abdullah said the party continues to stand by its constitutional position on the basis of that resolution and the sentiments of the people.
“We hope that political thinking in New Delhi would change soon and that a political environment would emerge for meaningful dialogue between the Jammu and Kashmir and Union governments on the resolutions and demands of the people, paving the way for progress towards constitutional guarantees and legitimate rights for the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The NC chief asserted that party legislators have also continued to represent the rights and sentiments of the people of J&K in every available democratic forum.
The NC was the first political party to challenge the measures of August 5, 2019, before the Supreme Court, with three senior lawyers appearing separately on behalf of the party, he said.
“Unfortunately the judgment of the Supreme Court Constitution Bench did not conform to the NC’s position. Soon after assuming office, the National Conference government passed a resolution on the first day of the first session of the Legislative Assembly concerning Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and conveyed it to the concerned authorities,” he added.
Abdullah said despite limited means, resources and powers under the present circumstances, the NC government is making every possible effort to provide maximum relief to the people and resolve their problems.
