SRINAGAR: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah has called for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, saying the existing administrative structure of the Union Territory has constrained the elected government’s ability to exercise its powers and meet public expectations.
Abdullah made the remarks during a two-day visit to Jammu, where he interacted with people from different walks of life, besides party leaders, office-bearers and workers.
He said an elected government in a democratic system must be accountable to the public and have sufficient powers to implement decisions taken in the public interest. He urged the Union government to fulfil its commitment to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah said the National Conference had historically advocated the rights and aspirations of people across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, while emphasising equitable development, public welfare and regional harmony.
Referring to the party’s historical record, he cited the land reforms introduced by the first popular government led by the NC, saying they granted ownership rights to tillers and improved the lives of poorer sections, particularly in the Jammu region.
He also criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the discontinuation of the Darbar Move, the biannual shifting of the government’s administrative offices between Srinagar and Jammu. He said the practice had symbolised the administrative, economic and social links between the two regions and alleged that its discontinuation had adversely affected Jammu’s commercial and business communities.
Abdullah said the NC government restored the Darbar Move after assuming office, fulfilling an electoral commitment and seeking to revive economic activity in Jammu.
Accusing the BJP of exploiting religious sentiments for political gain, the NC president urged people to reject what he described as communal politics. He said his party would continue to pursue the restoration of statehood, protection of the region’s identity, regional equality and the rights of people across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Meanwhile, NC provincial president for Jammu, Advocate Rattan Lal Gupta, briefed Abdullah on the party’s organisational activities, development-related programmes and relief efforts across the Jammu region.
