SRINAGAR: A day after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah convened a meeting of National Conference legislators and MPs at Dachigam National Park on the outskirts of Srinagar, the party's rebel MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi expressed his willingness to join the planned protest in New Delhi. The demonstration is scheduled for the opening day of Parliament’s monsoon session, demanding the restoration of statehood and “constitutional guarantees” to Jammu and Kashmir.
NC's protest plan and Mehdi's response
During the meeting, which Mehdi was not invited to, the NC announced a protest in the national capital. The party's statement after the gathering did not specify what “constitutional guarantees” entailed, but it is widely believed to refer to Article 370, which granted special status to the former state. Mehdi, who has been critical of the NC leadership for not taking a firm stand on Article 370, said he would join anyone who sincerely fights for the provision “without optics or theatrics.” He emphasized that one protest is insufficient and that it must evolve into a constant and continuous process.
Call for unity and broader movement
Mehdi urged the NC to reach out to opposition parties to build momentum for the cause both inside and outside Parliament, while simultaneously mobilizing public support in the Kashmir Valley. He pointed to the united fight in Ladakh as an example that can yield results. “A united fight can yield results,” he said, adding that the protest should be part of a broader movement. The Srinagar-Ganderbal MP has previously accused the NC leadership of not adequately addressing the issue of Article 370.
The NC's decision to hold the meeting at Dachigam National Park, a scenic location on the outskirts of Srinagar, was seen as an attempt to send a message of unity and resolve. However, the exclusion of Mehdi from the meeting highlights internal party differences. As the monsoon session of Parliament approaches, all eyes will be on how the NC and other regional parties coordinate their efforts to press for the restoration of statehood and constitutional guarantees for Jammu and Kashmir.
