New Delhi — Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah said his party will send formal invitation letters to all political parties in the state as it seeks support from the INDIA alliance and regional outfits for a planned sit‑in at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar demanding full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
The NC announced that the invitation letters will be dispatched “shortly,” urging parties to join a coordinated protest that it hopes will amplify the demand for statehood ahead of upcoming elections. Abdullah, who has long advocated for the restoration of state status after the centre revoked J&K’s special status in August 2019, said the sit‑in will be a “peaceful, democratic expression” of the people’s will.
The proposed Jantar Mantar gathering is slated for later this month, though a specific date has not been confirmed. Abdullah told reporters that the NC expects the INDIA bloc—comprising the Indian National Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, and several left‑leaning parties—to endorse the initiative, and that regional parties such as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Jammu & Kashmir People’s Conference have also been approached.
The NC’s move comes amid renewed calls from Kashmiri political leaders for the restoration of statehood, a demand that has gained traction following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Analysts note that securing a broad coalition could increase pressure on the central government, which has so far maintained that the Union Territory status remains “in the national interest.”
Analysis:
– Political calculus: By courting the INDIA bloc, the NC is attempting to broaden the issue beyond regional politics and frame statehood as a national concern, potentially forcing the centre to address it in Parliament.
– Electoral timing: The sit‑in is being organized ahead of the 2026 state assembly elections in J&K, suggesting the NC aims to rally voter sentiment around a single, high‑visibility demand.
– Potential impact: If the INDIA alliance and regional parties co‑sign the invitation, the protest could attract a larger, more diverse crowd, increasing media coverage and public pressure. However, the central government’s response remains uncertain; past statements have emphasized security and development priorities over constitutional changes.
The NC has not disclosed how many parties have confirmed participation, and no official response from the central government or the INDIA bloc has been reported as of this writing.
Sources
– The Hindu, “NC’s Farooq Abdullah to seek INDIA bloc, J&K parties’ support for upcoming Jantar Mantar sit‑in over statehood,” https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jammu-and-kashmir/ncs-farooq-abdullah-to-seek-india-bloc-jk-parties-support-for-upcoming-jantar-mantar-sit-in-over-statehood/article71171173.ece.
Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
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Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
