Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, July 28: The political temperature in Jammu and Kashmir is rising once again, as the National Conference (NC)-led government seriously considers convening a special session of the Legislative Assembly to pass a resolution demanding the restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory.
The move, seen as a significant political maneuver by the ruling dispensation, has prompted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to prepare a robust counter-strategy aimed at neutralizing the NC’s potential advantage on the emotive issue.
Sources within the government revealed that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has held preliminary discussions with senior ministers and legislative leaders on the feasibility and timing of the session. The NC is reportedly keen to pass a resolution that formally urges the Union Government to fulfill its promise of restoring statehood—a commitment reiterated several times by top central leaders, including the Home Minister.
Reacting swiftly to the NC’s plans, the BJP today convened a high-level meeting on Sunday, attended by senior party functionaries and legislative strategists, to chalk out a comprehensive counter-narrative. The party views the proposed session not merely a The political temperature in J&K is rising once again, as the NC-led government is seriously considering convening a special session of the Legislative Assembly to pass a resolution demanding the restoration of full statehood.
The move, seen as a significant political maneuver by the ruling dispensation, has prompted the BJP to prepare a robust counter-strategy aimed at neutralizing the NC’s potential advantage on the emotive issue.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has held preliminary discussions with senior ministers and legislative leaders on the feasibility and timing of the session.
The BJP convened a high-level meeting on Sunday to chalk out a comprehensive counter-narrative.
“We will not allow the NC to hijack the issue or mislead the public into believing that only they care about the future of Jammu and Kashmir.”
For the National Conference, this move is as much about policy as it is about reclaiming political space in a region still grappling with the aftereffects of the 2019 revocation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state. NC leaders believe that a resolution passed by a democratically elected Assembly would send a powerful message to Delhi about the collective will of the people.
“We want to remind the Centre that the people of Jammu and Kashmir were promised statehood after the situation normalized. That time has come,” a senior NC minister stated. “It is the duty of this Assembly to voice the aspirations of our people.”
The party is also aware that passing such a resolution could bolster its standing ahead of any future Lok Sabha or local elections. | 