National Conference’s ‘secretive’ Dachigam huddle ends with Delhi protest plan for J&K statehood

SRINAGAR: J&K CM Omar Abdullah whisked National Conference (NC) MLAs and MPs to Dachigam national park on Srinagar’s outskirts for a day-long strategy session Wednesday that ended with a political call to arms — a protest in New Delhi on opening day of Parliament’s monsoon session demanding restoration of J&K’s statehood.

Party legislators had first gathered at Omar’s Gupkar road residence in Srinagar before boarding a bus and joining a convoy that many believed was headed to Chashma Shahi — one of the Mughal gardens in Srinagar. Destination remained under wraps until vehicles rolled towards Dachigam, about 22km from Srinagar and best known as habitat of Kashmir’s endangered stag hangul.

Seeking to puncture suggestions of a last-minute switch, Omar later said on X that venue had been chosen well in advance and arrangements were made beforehand. According to him, holding meeting away from usual political settings was always part of plan.

Meeting reviewed govt’s performance over past 18 months and mapped out party’s next political moves. NC spokesman Tanvir Sadiq said participants resolved to intensify campaign for restoration of statehood and special status. Party sources said NC also decided to bring a bill seeking a ban on liquor in J&K.

Meeting had drawn attention ever since Omar announced it on May 31. Political circles were already on edge after his remarks at a college function on May 6, where he said: “Trust me, I want to burst like a cloudburst.” He had indicated he would speak more openly on key issues after Eid.

Opposition politicians quickly seized on choice of venue. Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone took a swipe at CM, saying: “So this is the bombshell threatened by CM sahib… Dachigam is actually symbolic for today’s congregation. It is secluded, isolated, entry is restricted. That actually sums up the state of govt. Aloof, secluded, isolated and entry restricted.”

PDP’s Iltija Mufti joined with a quip aimed at elected representatives. “In Kashmir MLAs are more endangered than hangul. Must designate a special separate wildlife park for them,” she said.

J&K lost its statehood on Aug 5, 2019, when Centre abrogated Article 370, revoked region’s special constitutional status and bifurcated former state into two Union territories — including Ladakh. Since then, parties across Kashmir’s political spectrum, including NC and PDP, have repeatedly demanded restoration of full statehood. Centre has publicly committed to restoring statehood at an appropriate stage, but timeline remains unclear.