SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference president Sajad Lone has questioned the National Conference’s proposed protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar regarding statehood, asserting that the National Conference legislators themselves voted against his amendment seeking the restoration of Article 370, Article 35A, and full statehood for the region in the Assembly earlier this year.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Lone, addressing a press conference in Srinagar, challenged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s strategy of taking the statehood issue to the national capital without first securing a resolution within the legislative assembly. The Peoples Conference maintains its stance on the restoration of the pre-August 5, 2019 constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir, identifying the abrogation of Article 370 as the paramount priority.
Lone alleged that during the discussion on the Lieutenant Governor’s address on February 3, 2025, he had introduced an amendment proposing the inclusion of demands for the restoration of Article 370, Article 35A, and statehood. However, he claimed this amendment was defeated by a voice vote, with National Conference members reportedly voting against it alongside BJP legislators.
The Peoples Conference president stated that the Assembly, despite diminished powers, remains the constitutional voice of the people. He suggested that if the government were genuinely committed to restoring statehood, it should convene a special session, pass a resolution, and subsequently dispatch an all-party delegation to engage with the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition.
Lone indicated that his party would only endorse a protest at Jantar Mantar if these constitutional avenues proved unsuccessful. He cautioned that bypassing the Assembly would relegate the issue of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood to a political contest between national parties rather than reflecting the aspirations of the region’s populace.
Recalling the events leading to the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, Lone referenced assurances from Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah regarding the absence of imminent constitutional changes, which were followed by the abrogation of the article within days. He raised concerns about the National Conference’s silence in confronting the central government on these developments at that time.
Furthermore, Lone accused the National Conference of orchestrating the proposed protest to divert political discourse from the restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A, focusing solely on statehood. He drew a parallel with the political shifts in Jammu and Kashmir in 1975, alleging a repeat of constitutional safeguards being sidelined in pursuit of political power.
The Peoples Conference chief also scrutinized Omar Abdullah’s recent meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union ministers subsequent to the announcement of the protest. He called for transparency regarding any assurances received from the Centre on the statehood demand before resorting to public demonstrations.
Lone further contended that the National Conference exhibited contradictory political stances, employing anti-BJP rhetoric publicly while engaging with the BJP-led central government. He also alleged that opposition MLAs from Kashmir faced administrative impediments allegedly at the behest of National Conference leaders, contrasting this with the treatment received by legislators aligned with the ruling party.
Inviting the public to verify official Assembly records, Lone urged an examination of amendments presented during the debate on the Lieutenant Governor’s address, asserting that records would confirm the National Conference’s vote against his proposal for the restoration of Article 370, Article 35A, and statehood. He also suggested that public protests like dharnas seldom yield substantial political results, implying that the planned Jantar Mantar protest aimed to distract from governance issues within Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chenab Times News Desk