SRINAGAR: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said public support remained the party’s greatest strength and reiterated that its struggle for the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A would continue.
Addressing a function at the party headquarters to welcome newly inducted ministers, Abdullah said the National Conference had faced several challenging periods in its history while pursuing what he described as the protection of Jammu and Kashmir’s dignity, constitutional rights and democratic aspirations.
He said the party’s movement was rooted in the struggle against injustice and the pursuit of fundamental rights, adding that its workers had endured hardships in that process.
Referring to political developments in 1953, 1977, 1984 and 1990, Abdullah said the party had faced attempts to weaken and divide it but had survived because of the support of the people.
He alleged that efforts had been made at different times to create divisions within the party and undermine its public support. However, he said, the National Conference had remained politically resilient.
Reaffirming the party’s position on Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional status, Abdullah said it would continue to seek the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A and other constitutional and democratic rights.
Senior party leaders, Members of Parliament, Cabinet ministers, legislators and other functionaries attended the event.