National Conference Holds Critical Meeting to Address Bypolls Defeat and Statehood Strategy in Jammu and Kashmir

Sources have informed NDTV that Ruhullah was excluded from the invitation list for the 2-day extensive meeting.

Srinagar:

The governing National Conference (NC) in Jammu and Kashmir commenced a two-day working committee meeting on Thursday to analyze their recent bypolls failure and to formulate the party's approach regarding the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory. NC President Farooq Abdullah is presiding over the meeting in Srinagar. The gathering aims to discuss strengthening grassroots support, evaluating current developments, and planning future actions.

"The working committee will engage in comprehensive discussions on all significant matters, political activities, organizational issues, and challenges confronting Jammu and Kashmir," stated a party official.

One NC Leader Excluded From Meeting

Aga Ruhullah, the NC's estranged Member of Parliament, will not be participating in the meeting. NDTV sources revealed that Ruhullah received no invitation, as the NC holds him primarily responsible for the party's defeat in the recently concluded by-elections.

Following the NC's loss and the PDP's victory in the Budgam by-polls, Ruhullah's supporters were observed celebrating. Shortly after the results, Ruhullah made a veiled criticism of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, attributing the defeat to arrogance.

Quoting from the Quran, he remarked, "Arrogance is the recipe for disaster." Previously, the NC leader has repeatedly accused Abdullah of displaying arrogance.

Abdullah responded by characterizing the party's by-polls defeat as a "political suicide of Aga Ruhullah." Multiple party officials have spoken against Ruhullah and demanded his resignation.

According to internal sources, the two-day working committee meeting will include deliberations on potential disciplinary measures against him.

The meeting occurs at a time when both the NC and Omar Abdullah face criticism for insufficient efforts toward restoring statehood and constitutional protections for Jammu and Kashmir residents. Since winning last year's assembly elections, the party has failed to initiate dialogue with the Central government on these crucial issues.

There has been no outreach to secure opposition parties' support for statehood restoration. Regarding governance, Abdullah has frequently cited the dual control system in the union territory as an impediment to effective decision-making and administration.

Despite Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha possessing extensive powers on key matters, Abdullah has struggled to assert authority even in departments under his jurisdiction. The party faces mounting pressure as the government has failed to fulfill key manifesto promises.

The rationalization of reservations, where the general category feels marginalized, remains unaddressed despite cabinet approval of a subcommittee report recommending changes to J&K's current reservation policy. In a region where 70% of the population belongs to the general category, over 60% of jobs have been reserved for various other categories.