Amid a growing political row over reports suggesting that the Centre may restore Jammu Kashmir’s statehood with “terms and conditions,” the ruling National Conference (NC) has reacted sharply, calling it a deliberate attempt to create confusion and undermine the public mandate.
According to multiple media reports, the Centre is considering two options for restoring statehood. First, that statehood would be granted after the current government completes its five-year term, and fresh elections would then be held for a state legislature.
The second option being considered is the restoration of statehood by August 2025, but only after fresh elections are conducted, as the current Assembly was elected under the framework of a Union Territory.
Reacting to the reports, NC chief spokesperson and Zadibal MLA Tanvir Sadiq said these were narratives being pushed by those unwilling to give up centralised power.
“This is an attempt to confuse the public. Those enjoying dual government control are uncomfortable with the restoration of full statehood. They want to retain their authority through delay tactics,” Sadiq said.
He added that all major political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the PDP, Congress and even BJP, had demanded full restoration of statehood as a rightful and non-negotiable claim of the people.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s directive issued in December 2023, which called for elections to be held by September 2024 and restoration of statehood “at the earliest,” Sadiq said the narrative around holding another election post-restoration was both factually and legally flawed.
“If the Supreme Court wanted fresh elections for a state assembly, it would have said so. The current Assembly was elected with the promise that statehood would be restored. It is not legally necessary to dissolve this Assembly and re-elect it just because of the change in nomenclature,” Sadiq argued.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, speaking at an event in Jammu last week, reiterated that the government was still waiting for the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister to fulfill their long-standing promise on restoring statehood.
“We will see whether we will need to go the legal route. But until then, we are waiting for the promises to be kept,” Omar Abdullah said while inaugurating the new ‘Raabita’ office in Jammu.
Additional NC spokesperson Ifra Jan also weighed in, stating, “When thousands turn out to vote, it reflects hope. But if their mandate is casually dismissed, it isn’t just the vote that’s defeated — it’s faith in democracy itself.”
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which performed poorly in the 2024 Assembly elections, said it was unclear what precedent would be followed.
PDP chief spokesman Mehboob Beg said, “There’s no precedent or tradition in independent India where a state was downgraded to a Union Territory and then brought back. So, whether a new election is required is unknown. The Home Ministry will have to create a new precedent.”
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Monga said there was no legal necessity for fresh elections. “Why would the Centre break an existing mandate that came through constitutional process? What benefit will it serve? The elections in 2024 were held under the Indian Constitution. The government can simply restore statehood without disturbing the Assembly,” he said.
Meanwhile, BJP state president Sat Sharma reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured restoration of statehood when the time was appropriate. “Let’s wait. The situation in Kashmir is still evolving. Statehood will be restored at the right time,” Sharma said.
At a party function in Pulwama on June 18, NC president Farooq Abdullah said restoration of statehood was not a concession but a constitutional right. On June 21, speaking in Kokernag, Abdullah warned that if the Centre continues to delay, the party would have no option but to move the Supreme Court. -(Kashmiriyat)
