SRINAGAR, June 5: National Conference spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq today said opposition parties are welcome to join the party’s proposed protest in New Delhi seeking restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
Addressing reporters here, Sadiq said the NC delegation’s planned protest in the national capital was intended to seek fulfillment of assurances made by the Union government and endorsed by the Supreme Court regarding the restoration of statehood.
“The elected legislators have decided to go to Delhi to remind the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the institutions of the promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. If this is not a good thing, then what is?” Sadiq said.
He accused opposition parties of attempting to politicize the initiative and seeking publicity rather than contributing constructively to the demand for statehood. “Their only aim is somehow to get into newspapers and score brownie points. This is a people’s programme. Elected representatives are going to Delhi on behalf of the people,” he said.
Sadiq welcomed support from religious and social leaders for the initiative and said the NC’s effort was aimed at translating the public mandate into political action.
The NC leader also rejected suggestions that the move was undermining broader opposition unity or past political alliances in Jammu and Kashmir. Referring to criticism from some regional leaders, Sadiq said the statehood campaign was above partisan politics and focused on securing the rights of the people. “This is not about any one political party. The people stood in queues and voted. We are trying to translate their sentiments into action,” he said.
Responding to questions about Congress’ reaction to the NC’s statehood campaign, Sadiq said there was no disagreement between the two parties and that discussions had already taken place between their respective leaderships. “There is no contradiction between Congress and the National Conference. Everything will be discussed together,” he said.
The NC spokesman said the NC wanted Parliament, including both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, to recognize and act upon commitments made to Jammu and Kashmir.
