National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Friday dismissed rumours of a split in the party, asserting that the National Conference remains united and that differences among legislators would be resolved through dialogue.Speaking to reporters after a high-level meeting with disgruntled party legislators at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s residence in Srinagar, Farooq Abdullah said all concerns were heard seriously, and assurances had been given that genuine issues would be addressed.He said some decisions would be taken immediately, while others might require more time, adding that steps would be taken to strengthen the government and address people's difficulties.Dismissing reports of a separate faction emerging within the party, Abdullah said the National Conference was an organised party that had neither split nor would ever break.NC leader Nazir Gurezi also rejected reports of a breakaway group, saying the legislators had brought their political and other concerns before the party leadership and had received assurances of action.Earlier, party leader Salman had said that minor differences were natural within a family and could be resolved through mutual discussions.Reaffirming the party’s political stand, Farooq Abdullah said the National Conference would continue its struggle for the restoration of statehood and its position on Articles 370 and 35A.&nbsp;

Farooq Abdullah rejects rumours of a National Conference split, saying concerns raised by disgruntled legislators will be addressed through dialogue.

National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Friday dismissed rumours of a split in the party, asserting that the National Conference remains united and that differences among legislators would be resolved through dialogue. Speaking to reporters after a high-level meeting with disgruntled party legislators at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s residence in Srinagar, Farooq Abdullah said all concerns were heard seriously, and assurances had been given that genuine issues would be addressed. He said some decisions would be taken immediately, while others might require more time, adding that steps would be taken to strengthen the government and address people's difficulties. Dismissing reports of a separate faction emerging within the party, Abdullah said the National Conference was an organised party that had neither split nor would ever break. NC leader Nazir Gurezi also rejected reports of a breakaway group, saying the legislators had brought their political and other concerns before the party leadership and had received assurances of action. Earlier, party leader Salman had said that minor differences were natural within a family and could be resolved through mutual discussions. Reaffirming the party’s political stand, Farooq Abdullah said the National Conference would continue its struggle for the restoration of statehood and its position on Articles 370 and 35A.

Farooq Abdullah rejects rumours of a National Conference split, saying concerns raised by disgruntled legislators will be addressed through dialogue.

Farooq Abdullah dismisses split rumours, assures disgruntled NC legislators of action on grievances

Senior National Conference (NC) leader Mubarak Gul, who was scheduled to make a statement today on whether he would continue in the party or resign, has deferred his press conference, leaving his political future uncertain for now.Gul could have become the second National Conference leader to quit the party in two days. However, he has decided against making any announcement today, citing the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the sentiments of his supporters and colleagues.Gul's decision comes against the backdrop of his disappointment over being overlooked in the recent cabinet reshuffle and expansion under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The senior NC leader had expressed disappointment at being left out yet again, despite having been associated with the party for decades.Gul has also never been inducted into the Council of Ministers, despite his long association with the National Conference, a factor that has added to the significance of the latest developments surrounding his political future.In his statement, Gul said he had taken into account the advice of close associates and the feelings of party workers, many of whom, he said, had been associated with him for nearly five decades, dating back to around 1975.“I value their feelings, emotions and sentiments. Therefore, I announce that I am cancelling today's press conference. I will not make any statement today because I want to respect the feelings of my workers, colleagues and friends,” he said.Gul said he would refrain from making further comments on the matter for now, adding that his associates and workers would represent and express their views.He also thanked colleagues who had personally advised him over the telephone, saying he would continue to follow their guidance and move forward accordingly.“I am a fighter, and I will continue to fight,” Gul said, without clarifying whether he intended to remain with the National Conference or leave the party.His decision to defer the press conference has put off an announcement that was being keenly watched amid speculation over his political future. Whether he will continue in the NC or decide to part ways with the party remains unclear.“God willing, everything will happen at the appropriate time,” Gul said.

Senior National Conference leader Mubarak Gul cancels his press conference on quitting the party, leaving his political future uncertain.

Senior National Conference (NC) leader Mubarak Gul, who was scheduled to make a statement today on whether he would continue in the party or resign, has deferred his press conference, leaving his political future uncertain for now. Gul could have become the second National Conference leader to quit the party in two days. However, he has decided against making any announcement today, citing the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the sentiments of his supporters and colleagues. Gul's decision comes against the backdrop of his disappointment over being overlooked in the recent cabinet reshuffle and expansion under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The senior NC leader had expressed disappointment at being left out yet again, despite having been associated with the party for decades. Gul has also never been inducted into the Council of Ministers, despite his long association with the National Conference, a factor that has added to the significance of the latest developments surrounding his political future. In his statement, Gul said he had taken into account the advice of close associates and the feelings of party workers, many of whom, he said, had been associated with him for nearly five decades, dating back to around 1975. “I value their feelings, emotions and sentiments. Therefore, I announce that I am cancelling today's press conference. I will not make any statement today because I want to respect the feelings of my workers, colleagues and friends,” he said. Gul said he would refrain from making further comments on the matter for now, adding that his associates and workers would represent and express their views. He also thanked colleagues who had personally advised him over the telephone, saying he would continue to follow their guidance and move forward accordingly. “I am a fighter, and I will continue to fight,” Gul said, without clarifying whether he intended to remain with the National Conference or leave the party. His decision to defer the press conference has put off an announcement that was being keenly watched amid speculation over his political future. Whether he will continue in the NC or decide to part ways with the party remains unclear. “God willing, everything will happen at the appropriate time,” Gul said.

Senior National Conference leader Mubarak Gul cancels his press conference on quitting the party, leaving his political future uncertain.

NC leader Mubarak Gul defers press conference, keeps NC exit decision under wraps

The National Conference (NC) has hit back at Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah Mehdi over his remarks against the party leadership, accusing him of using derogatory and unparliamentary language and questioning his record on the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and reservation issues.&nbsp;In a strongly worded response, the party described Ruhullah’s speech as a manifestation of what it termed his “mental and moral bankruptcy” and “self-obsession,” alleging that his remarks contradicted the values of dignity and respect he invoked while referring to the holy Quran.&nbsp;The NC also questioned the timing of Ruhullah’s resignation, claiming that he acted only after being asked to do so by the party president. Taking aim at his political record, the party said Ruhullah had continued as a minister in 2010 until he was removed during a general reshuffle and subsequently contested the 2014 Assembly elections on an NC ticket.“He conveniently forgot all about it until 2026, 16 years later,” the party said, questioning his renewed references to 2010.&nbsp;On the issue of special status, the NC asked whether Ruhullah, who had welcomed the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly’s November 6 resolution seeking restoration of special status, had taken concrete steps in Parliament to advance the demand. The party questioned whether the MP had mobilised support among MPs, moved a resolution or introduced a bill seeking restoration of special status or statehood.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mob-brutally-attacks-bsf-jawans-in-tripura-s-bangladesh-border-belt-spotlight-on-cattle-and-drug-trafficking-1793717237139">Mob brutally attacks BSF jawans in Tripura’s Bangladesh border belt, spotlight on cattle and drug trafficking</a>&nbsp;It also challenged Ruhullah to explain his parliamentary interventions on what it described as the weakening of the elected government’s authority under the Union Territory arrangement, particularly in departments that fall under the elected government.&nbsp;On reservation, the NC said Ruhullah had initially raised objections over the issue of job quotas and alleged injustice to candidates from the open merit category but accused him of directing his criticism at the party instead of the Lieutenant Governor-led administration and the Centre.&nbsp;The party maintained that the reservation issue had figured prominently in its election manifesto and said its government had constituted a cabinet sub-committee to examine the matter and introduce changes.However, it alleged that the file concerning the cabinet’s decision had been stalled by the “powers that be.”The NC also questioned whether Ruhullah had raised the issue in Parliament or demanded answers from the Centre over the delay in implementing the proposed reservation changes.&nbsp;Further, the party asked whether the MP had organised protests against the Lieutenant Governor over reservation-related grievances, alleged recruitment irregularities and concerns that job aspirants from one region were being systematically excluded.&nbsp;Defending its own approach, the National Conference said the elected government was conscious of the limitations imposed by the existing administrative framework and was pursuing a roadmap on issues linked to Jammu and Kashmir’s identity and political rights.

Taking aim at his political record, the party said Ruhullah had continued as a minister in 2010 until he was removed during a general reshuffle and subsequently contested the 2014 Assembly elections on an NC ticket.

The National Conference (NC) has hit back at Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah Mehdi over his remarks against the party leadership, accusing him of using derogatory and unparliamentary language and questioning his record on the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and reservation issues. In a strongly worded response, the party described Ruhullah’s speech as a manifestation of what it termed his “mental and moral bankruptcy” and “self-obsession,” alleging that his remarks contradicted the values of dignity and respect he invoked while referring to the holy Quran. The NC also questioned the timing of Ruhullah’s resignation, claiming that he acted only after being asked to do so by the party president. Taking aim at his political record, the party said Ruhullah had continued as a minister in 2010 until he was removed during a general reshuffle and subsequently contested the 2014 Assembly elections on an NC ticket. “He conveniently forgot all about it until 2026, 16 years later,” the party said, questioning his renewed references to 2010. On the issue of special status, the NC asked whether Ruhullah, who had welcomed the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly’s November 6 resolution seeking restoration of special status, had taken concrete steps in Parliament to advance the demand. The party questioned whether the MP had mobilised support among MPs, moved a resolution or introduced a bill seeking restoration of special status or statehood. Also read: Mob brutally attacks BSF jawans in Tripura’s Bangladesh border belt, spotlight on cattle and drug trafficking It also challenged Ruhullah to explain his parliamentary interventions on what it described as the weakening of the elected government’s authority under the Union Territory arrangement, particularly in departments that fall under the elected government. On reservation, the NC said Ruhullah had initially raised objections over the issue of job quotas and alleged injustice to candidates from the open merit category but accused him of directing his criticism at the party instead of the Lieutenant Governor-led administration and the Centre. The party maintained that the reservation issue had figured prominently in its election manifesto and said its government had constituted a cabinet sub-committee to examine the matter and introduce changes. However, it alleged that the file concerning the cabinet’s decision had been stalled by the “powers that be.” The NC also questioned whether Ruhullah had raised the issue in Parliament or demanded answers from the Centre over the delay in implementing the proposed reservation changes. Further, the party asked whether the MP had organised protests against the Lieutenant Governor over reservation-related grievances, alleged recruitment irregularities and concerns that job aspirants from one region were being systematically excluded. Defending its own approach, the National Conference said the elected government was conscious of the limitations imposed by the existing administrative framework and was pursuing a roadmap on issues linked to Jammu and Kashmir’s identity and political rights.

Taking aim at his political record, the party said Ruhullah had continued as a minister in 2010 until he was removed during a general reshuffle and subsequently contested the 2014 Assembly elections on an NC ticket.

‘Mental and moral bankruptcy’: NC launches sharp attack on Aga Ruhullah

The National Conference (NC) is facing mounting internal dissent, with around 18 to 20 party MLAs reportedly submitting a memorandum to party president Farooq Abdullah, seeking a sweeping overhaul of the government and changes in the party’s organisational structure.The legislators have reportedly called for the replacement of all incumbent ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, besides demanding the removal of Nasir Aslam Wani, an advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The memorandum, according to party sources, was sent directly to Farooq Abdullah through WhatsApp.The dissenting MLAs have maintained that their move should not be viewed as a rebellion but as an attempt to strengthen the party through accountability, organisational reforms and a change in the government’s functioning.“We are not rebels. We want to strengthen the party and ensure it remains united. The government and the party cannot become the private fiefdom of a select few,” a legislator who participated in the closed-door deliberations said, requesting anonymity.The MLAs have also reportedly pressed for the full implementation of the NC’s election manifesto, particularly its commitments concerning the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A.The latest developments come amid growing resentment following Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent cabinet reshuffle and expansion, which reportedly left several senior leaders, including Mubarak Gul, Abdul Majid Larmi and Nazir Gurezi, dissatisfied.In an apparent bid to address the discontent, Farooq Abdullah had appointed Mubarak Gul as the party’s general secretary. However, following a meeting of disgruntled legislators in Srinagar, Gul was removed from the position within two days, according to sources.The developments have further exposed differences within the party, with sections of the legislature reportedly seeking a greater say in government formation and decision-making.Sources said the legislators’ dissatisfaction with Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary runs deep. During a meeting at Dachigam on June 3, the MLAs reportedly confronted him. The disgruntled legislators are also questioning the concentration of political influence and ministerial privileges within a limited circle, arguing that the government needs to deliver more effectively on the party’s key commitments.They have also demanded the removal of Nasir Aslam Wani, who continues to serve as an advisor to the Chief Minister with ministerial status, despite having lost the election, sources said.The memorandum is being seen within party circles as a significant show of strength by legislators challenging the existing leadership structure and demanding a broader political and administrative reset.An MLA involved in the deliberations described the proposed changes as a necessary “cleansing process”, arguing that the party needed to address concerns over accountability and allegations of corruption.The leadership now faces the challenge of addressing the dissent without deepening divisions within the ruling party. Whether Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah opt for a wider restructuring or another compromise could shape the NC’s internal stability in the coming weeks.The internal crisis has been compounded by the resignation of Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, an influential Shia cleric, who is to announce his departure from the National Conference on November 3, citing long-standing differences with the Abdullah family.Ruhullah’s decision to quit both his parliamentary position and the party’s primary membership marks another major setback for the NC at a time when it is already grappling with growing discontent among its legislators.

Around 20 National Conference MLAs have reportedly sought the removal of ministers and organisational changes, deepening the party's internal crisis.

The National Conference (NC) is facing mounting internal dissent, with around 18 to 20 party MLAs reportedly submitting a memorandum to party president Farooq Abdullah, seeking a sweeping overhaul of the government and changes in the party’s organisational structure. The legislators have reportedly called for the replacement of all incumbent ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, besides demanding the removal of Nasir Aslam Wani, an advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The memorandum, according to party sources, was sent directly to Farooq Abdullah through WhatsApp. The dissenting MLAs have maintained that their move should not be viewed as a rebellion but as an attempt to strengthen the party through accountability, organisational reforms and a change in the government’s functioning. “We are not rebels. We want to strengthen the party and ensure it remains united. The government and the party cannot become the private fiefdom of a select few,” a legislator who participated in the closed-door deliberations said, requesting anonymity. The MLAs have also reportedly pressed for the full implementation of the NC’s election manifesto, particularly its commitments concerning the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A. The latest developments come amid growing resentment following Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent cabinet reshuffle and expansion, which reportedly left several senior leaders, including Mubarak Gul, Abdul Majid Larmi and Nazir Gurezi, dissatisfied. In an apparent bid to address the discontent, Farooq Abdullah had appointed Mubarak Gul as the party’s general secretary. However, following a meeting of disgruntled legislators in Srinagar, Gul was removed from the position within two days, according to sources. The developments have further exposed differences within the party, with sections of the legislature reportedly seeking a greater say in government formation and decision-making. Sources said the legislators’ dissatisfaction with Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary runs deep. During a meeting at Dachigam on June 3, the MLAs reportedly confronted him. The disgruntled legislators are also questioning the concentration of political influence and ministerial privileges within a limited circle, arguing that the government needs to deliver more effectively on the party’s key commitments. They have also demanded the removal of Nasir Aslam Wani, who continues to serve as an advisor to the Chief Minister with ministerial status, despite having lost the election, sources said. The memorandum is being seen within party circles as a significant show of strength by legislators challenging the existing leadership structure and demanding a broader political and administrative reset. An MLA involved in the deliberations described the proposed changes as a necessary “cleansing process”, arguing that the party needed to address concerns over accountability and allegations of corruption. The leadership now faces the challenge of addressing the dissent without deepening divisions within the ruling party. Whether Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah opt for a wider restructuring or another compromise could shape the NC’s internal stability in the coming weeks. The internal crisis has been compounded by the resignation of Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, an influential Shia cleric, who is to announce his departure from the National Conference on November 3, citing long-standing differences with the Abdullah family. Ruhullah’s decision to quit both his parliamentary position and the party’s primary membership marks another major setback for the NC at a time when it is already grappling with growing discontent among its legislators.

Around 20 National Conference MLAs have reportedly sought the removal of ministers and organisational changes, deepening the party's internal crisis.

NC faces internal crisis as 20 MLAs seek cabinet overhaul, Srinagar MP to quit party and seat on Nov 3

Srinagar: After nearly two years in government, the National Conference (NC)-led administration in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday expanded its Cabinet by inducting four senior party leaders, even as the reshuffle triggered disappointment and resentment among some party leaders who were left out of the new Council of Ministers.&nbsp;The oath-taking ceremony, held at the Lok Bhavan Auditorium in Srinagar, was administered by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Senior NC leaders Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shameema Firdous and Altaf Kalo were among those inducted into the Cabinet.&nbsp;Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accompanied by members of his team, arrived at Lok Bhavan earlier in the day as guests gathered for the ceremony.&nbsp;The reshuffle followed the resignation of the five incumbent ministers ahead of the Cabinet reorganisation, paving the way for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC president Farooq Abdullah to restructure the Council of Ministers.&nbsp;While the induction of the new ministers was welcomed by their supporters, the decision also exposed discontent within sections of the party, with senior leaders expressing disappointment over their exclusion.&nbsp;Reacting to the induction of Ali Mohammad Sagar, party leader Salman Sagar thanked the National Conference leadership, including Dr Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, for giving the veteran leader another opportunity to serve the people.&nbsp;Highlighting Sagar's extensive political experience, Salman Sagar said the veteran leader had served in four different governments, including two administrations led by Farooq Abdullah and the current government headed by Omar Abdullah.&nbsp;He expressed confidence that Sagar's experience, political wisdom and decades of public service would help him meet people's expectations.&nbsp;“Considering Sagar Sahib's political experience, his wisdom and his 50 years of experience in politics, I am fully confident that this will be for the betterment of the people,” he said, adding that the veteran leader would continue to serve the public to the best of his ability.&nbsp;However, the Cabinet expansion was not welcomed by everyone within the party. Hours after the ceremony, supporters of senior National Conference leader Mubarak Ahmad Gul staged a protest at the party headquarters in the Nawa-i-Subh Complex in Srinagar, raising slogans in his favour and expressing resentment over his exclusion from the Cabinet.&nbsp;Gul, a six-time MLA, has represented the Eidgah constituency in 1983, 1996, 2002, 2008, 2014 and 2024. Following the reshuffle, Farooq Abdullah reached out to the veteran leader and appointed him as the National Conference's general secretary.&nbsp;The protest reflected the disappointment among sections of the party's rank and file over the distribution of Cabinet berths, particularly among leaders who believe their seniority and years of service warranted a place in the government.&nbsp;Another senior leader, Abdul Majeed Larmi, also voiced strong disappointment over his exclusion, arguing that his seniority, loyalty and long-standing contribution to the party should have been taken into consideration.&nbsp;“This was not fair to me,” Larmi said, while acknowledging that several leaders inducted into the Cabinet were deserving of the opportunity.&nbsp;Referring to his political standing in South Kashmir, Larmi said he considered himself the senior-most leader in the region, from Pampore to the tunnel, and believed his record of dedication, honesty and loyalty made him a strong contender for a Cabinet berth.&nbsp;“I was dedicated, honest and loyal. I had all the qualities that should have been there in the book, so to speak. Unfortunately, I was not inducted,” he said.&nbsp;Describing the decision as personally painful, Larmi added that the exclusion had hurt him emotionally, particularly in view of his expectations from the party leadership.&nbsp;The Cabinet expansion has brought fresh opportunities for the four inducted leaders while simultaneously highlighting the challenge of managing expectations within the National Conference.&nbsp;For some leaders and their supporters, the reshuffle represents recognition of experience and an opportunity to strengthen the government's functioning. For others, the exclusion of senior figures has raised questions about the criteria used in allocating Cabinet positions.&nbsp;With protests already reported at the party headquarters and senior leaders publicly expressing their disappointment, the responsibility now rests with the NC leadership to address the concerns of those left out and prevent the reshuffle from deepening internal differences.

The Cabinet expansion was not welcomed by everyone, as supporters of senior NC leader Mubarak Ahmad Gul staged a protest at the party headquarters in the Nawa-i-Subh Complex in Srinagar, raising slogans in his favour and expressing resentment over his exclusion from the Cabinet.

Srinagar: After nearly two years in government, the National Conference (NC)-led administration in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday expanded its Cabinet by inducting four senior party leaders, even as the reshuffle triggered disappointment and resentment among some party leaders who were left out of the new Council of Ministers. The oath-taking ceremony, held at the Lok Bhavan Auditorium in Srinagar, was administered by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Senior NC leaders Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shameema Firdous and Altaf Kalo were among those inducted into the Cabinet. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accompanied by members of his team, arrived at Lok Bhavan earlier in the day as guests gathered for the ceremony. The reshuffle followed the resignation of the five incumbent ministers ahead of the Cabinet reorganisation, paving the way for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC president Farooq Abdullah to restructure the Council of Ministers. While the induction of the new ministers was welcomed by their supporters, the decision also exposed discontent within sections of the party, with senior leaders expressing disappointment over their exclusion. Reacting to the induction of Ali Mohammad Sagar, party leader Salman Sagar thanked the National Conference leadership, including Dr Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, for giving the veteran leader another opportunity to serve the people. Highlighting Sagar's extensive political experience, Salman Sagar said the veteran leader had served in four different governments, including two administrations led by Farooq Abdullah and the current government headed by Omar Abdullah. He expressed confidence that Sagar's experience, political wisdom and decades of public service would help him meet people's expectations. “Considering Sagar Sahib's political experience, his wisdom and his 50 years of experience in politics, I am fully confident that this will be for the betterment of the people,” he said, adding that the veteran leader would continue to serve the public to the best of his ability. However, the Cabinet expansion was not welcomed by everyone within the party. Hours after the ceremony, supporters of senior National Conference leader Mubarak Ahmad Gul staged a protest at the party headquarters in the Nawa-i-Subh Complex in Srinagar, raising slogans in his favour and expressing resentment over his exclusion from the Cabinet. Gul, a six-time MLA, has represented the Eidgah constituency in 1983, 1996, 2002, 2008, 2014 and 2024. Following the reshuffle, Farooq Abdullah reached out to the veteran leader and appointed him as the National Conference's general secretary. The protest reflected the disappointment among sections of the party's rank and file over the distribution of Cabinet berths, particularly among leaders who believe their seniority and years of service warranted a place in the government. Another senior leader, Abdul Majeed Larmi, also voiced strong disappointment over his exclusion, arguing that his seniority, loyalty and long-standing contribution to the party should have been taken into consideration. “This was not fair to me,” Larmi said, while acknowledging that several leaders inducted into the Cabinet were deserving of the opportunity. Referring to his political standing in South Kashmir, Larmi said he considered himself the senior-most leader in the region, from Pampore to the tunnel, and believed his record of dedication, honesty and loyalty made him a strong contender for a Cabinet berth. “I was dedicated, honest and loyal. I had all the qualities that should have been there in the book, so to speak. Unfortunately, I was not inducted,” he said. Describing the decision as personally painful, Larmi added that the exclusion had hurt him emotionally, particularly in view of his expectations from the party leadership. The Cabinet expansion has brought fresh opportunities for the four inducted leaders while simultaneously highlighting the challenge of managing expectations within the National Conference. For some leaders and their supporters, the reshuffle represents recognition of experience and an opportunity to strengthen the government's functioning. For others, the exclusion of senior figures has raised questions about the criteria used in allocating Cabinet positions. With protests already reported at the party headquarters and senior leaders publicly expressing their disappointment, the responsibility now rests with the NC leadership to address the concerns of those left out and prevent the reshuffle from deepening internal differences.

The Cabinet expansion was not welcomed by everyone, as supporters of senior NC leader Mubarak Ahmad Gul staged a protest at the party headquarters in the Nawa-i-Subh Complex in Srinagar, raising slogans in his favour and expressing resentment over his exclusion from the Cabinet.

NC cabinet reshuffle sparks discontent as senior leaders left out express disappointment

A fresh political disagreement has emerged within the NC-Congress alliance over the proposed framework for charges on certain high-value UPI transactions, with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah defending the principle of recovering part of the cost of maintaining the digital payments ecosystem from businesses.Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, however, has taken the opposite position, demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi withdraw what he has described as a “UPI tax” imposed on Indians. The disagreement marks the second instance this month in which the National Conference has publicly differed with its alliance partner, the Congress.Earlier this month, the two parties had differing positions on singing Vande Mataram. The Congress had advised its alliance partners across the country to stand only during the first two stanzas, while the National Conference defended its position of standing throughout the song.Abdullah, whose National Conference is an alliance partner of the Congress, defended the underlying rationale for charging businesses, while stressing that ordinary consumers should not be made to bear the cost.He argued that businesses that benefit significantly from digital payments could cover part of the cost of operating and maintaining the UPI ecosystem, rather than individual users. His position is also broadly in line with the government's stated rationale for the proposed framework.“This charge does not apply to everyone. As far as I understand, there is no charge on person-to-person money transfers. For individual consumers as well, there will be no charge unless they cross a certain ceiling. As far as I have understood, running the UPI system is not cheap. It costs a lot of money to operate and maintain it. And the truth is that when we get something for free, we often don’t appreciate it properly. The Government of India should make every effort to ensure that ordinary people do not have to bear the charges for using UPI. If companies are charged, I have no objection to that, because businesses also earn significant benefits through UPI,” said Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.Rahul Gandhi, meanwhile, has opposed the move and described it as a tax on Indians. He also linked the issue to what he alleged was excessive deference by the Modi government towards the United States.“Indiraji was once asked whether she leaned to the left or the right, and her response was: ‘I don’t lean left, I don’t lean right. I stand straight. Modiji has a completely different concept. He is neither left nor right. He has decided to lie down straight and prostrate himself before Donald Trump. He has imposed a tax on every single Indian by taxing UPI and giving a huge amount of money to the United States. Modiji, please stop lying down in front of the United States. Have a spine, stand up, and withdraw the UPI tax,” said Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition.The contrasting positions once again highlight differences between the two alliance partners, raising the question: Is the National Conference and Congress alliance headed for a fallout after the NC publicly expressed disagreements with Congress over multiple issues?&nbsp;&nbsp;

The NC-Congress alliance faces strain as Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah publicly diverged from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on UPI transaction fees and singing Vande Mataram.

A fresh political disagreement has emerged within the NC-Congress alliance over the proposed framework for charges on certain high-value UPI transactions, with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah defending the principle of recovering part of the cost of maintaining the digital payments ecosystem from businesses. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, however, has taken the opposite position, demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi withdraw what he has described as a “UPI tax” imposed on Indians. The disagreement marks the second instance this month in which the National Conference has publicly differed with its alliance partner, the Congress. Earlier this month, the two parties had differing positions on singing Vande Mataram. The Congress had advised its alliance partners across the country to stand only during the first two stanzas, while the National Conference defended its position of standing throughout the song. Abdullah, whose National Conference is an alliance partner of the Congress, defended the underlying rationale for charging businesses, while stressing that ordinary consumers should not be made to bear the cost. He argued that businesses that benefit significantly from digital payments could cover part of the cost of operating and maintaining the UPI ecosystem, rather than individual users. His position is also broadly in line with the government's stated rationale for the proposed framework. “This charge does not apply to everyone. As far as I understand, there is no charge on person-to-person money transfers. For individual consumers as well, there will be no charge unless they cross a certain ceiling. As far as I have understood, running the UPI system is not cheap. It costs a lot of money to operate and maintain it. And the truth is that when we get something for free, we often don’t appreciate it properly. The Government of India should make every effort to ensure that ordinary people do not have to bear the charges for using UPI. If companies are charged, I have no objection to that, because businesses also earn significant benefits through UPI,” said Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. Rahul Gandhi, meanwhile, has opposed the move and described it as a tax on Indians. He also linked the issue to what he alleged was excessive deference by the Modi government towards the United States. “Indiraji was once asked whether she leaned to the left or the right, and her response was: ‘I don’t lean left, I don’t lean right. I stand straight. Modiji has a completely different concept. He is neither left nor right. He has decided to lie down straight and prostrate himself before Donald Trump. He has imposed a tax on every single Indian by taxing UPI and giving a huge amount of money to the United States. Modiji, please stop lying down in front of the United States. Have a spine, stand up, and withdraw the UPI tax,” said Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition. The contrasting positions once again highlight differences between the two alliance partners, raising the question: Is the National Conference and Congress alliance headed for a fallout after the NC publicly expressed disagreements with Congress over multiple issues?

The NC-Congress alliance faces strain as Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah publicly diverged from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on UPI transaction fees and singing Vande Mataram.

From Vande Mataram to UPI: Why is NC breaking ranks with Congress

Srinagar witnessed a heated political confrontation as the BJP and the National Conference staged rival protests against each other. BJP workers gathered at the iconic Ghanta Ghar, accusing the Jammu and Kashmir government of "misrule" and demanding accountability. In response, the National Conference organized counter-protests, including demonstrations outside the BJP's Jawaharnagar office.


BJP and National Conference stage rival protests in Jammu & Kashmir's Srinagar

Political showdown in Srinagar: BJP and National Conference take battle to the streets 

Jammu and Kashmir marked the 7th anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A under heavy security across the Valley.

While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrated August 5 as a landmark in Jammu and Kashmir's integration and development, opposition parties including the National Conference (NC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) observed the day as a "Black Day", demanding the restoration of statehood and special constitutional status.

Security was tightened across Srinagar, with checkpoints reinforced and restrictions imposed to prevent protests. Opposition leaders accused authorities of denying them the democratic right to demonstrate, while BJP leaders highlighted improvements in security, tourism, and economic activity since 2019.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described August 5, 2019, as the beginning of a transformative chapter for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, emphasizing peace, prosperity, and development over the past seven years.


Article 370 Anniversary: BJP Celebrates, Opposition Observes Black Day

The National Conference has announced that it will go ahead with its planned protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20, regardless of the circumstances. The protest, scheduled for the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, is aimed at demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the party would proceed with the protest irrespective of whether police permission is granted. Senior National Conference leaders, including party president Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, will leave for New Delhi on July 19 to participate in the demonstration.&nbsp;"There is no change in our plans. The programme scheduled for July 20 will go ahead as planned. We will remain patient for as long as we are allowed to do so, while keeping our second option open. I have instructed my party leaders that, no matter what happens, we will leave for Delhi on July 19. Whether or not we are granted permission to protest at Jantar Mantar, we will still go to Delhi," Omar Abdullah said.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the BJP has announced a major protest over the alleged job outsourcing scam, with a "Secretariat Gherao" scheduled for July 20 in the Kashmir Valley. The party has appealed to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir and all concerned citizens to join the protest in support of transparency and accountability in recruitment.&nbsp;''On 20 July, the BJP will hold a major protest in Srinagar, marching from Lal Chowk to the Civil Secretariat to gherao the Secretariat in protest against the National Conference government's anti-youth policies, particularly the outsourcing of jobs to outsiders.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bimstec-nsa-meet-and-a-stable-bay-of-bengal-how-maritime-security-is-crucial-for-trade-flows-1784201850998">BIMSTEC NSA meet and a stable Bay of Bengal: How maritime security is crucial for trade flows</a>&nbsp;The National Conference had promised one lakh jobs for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir but has failed to deliver. Instead of addressing unemployment and even basic issues like electricity and gas supply, the government is trying to divert public attention through political drama. This protest is just the beginning.&nbsp;&nbsp;The BJP will take this movement to every district of Jammu and Kashmir and continue protesting until the government provides a concrete solution to the employment crisis and safeguards opportunities meant for the youth of the region. The people deserve accountability, not distractions.'', said Altaf Thakur, Chief Spokesperson, BJP.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, the opposition parties in the Union Territory, including Mehbooba Mufti's PDP, have not yet clarified whether they will join the NC's protest at Jantar Mantar. &nbsp;

The National Conference will go ahead with its July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, while the BJP will stage a Secretariat Gherao in Srinagar over the alleged jobs outsourcing scam.

The National Conference has announced that it will go ahead with its planned protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20, regardless of the circumstances. The protest, scheduled for the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, is aimed at demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the party would proceed with the protest irrespective of whether police permission is granted. Senior National Conference leaders, including party president Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, will leave for New Delhi on July 19 to participate in the demonstration. "There is no change in our plans. The programme scheduled for July 20 will go ahead as planned. We will remain patient for as long as we are allowed to do so, while keeping our second option open. I have instructed my party leaders that, no matter what happens, we will leave for Delhi on July 19. Whether or not we are granted permission to protest at Jantar Mantar, we will still go to Delhi," Omar Abdullah said. Meanwhile, the BJP has announced a major protest over the alleged job outsourcing scam, with a "Secretariat Gherao" scheduled for July 20 in the Kashmir Valley. The party has appealed to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir and all concerned citizens to join the protest in support of transparency and accountability in recruitment. ''On 20 July, the BJP will hold a major protest in Srinagar, marching from Lal Chowk to the Civil Secretariat to gherao the Secretariat in protest against the National Conference government's anti-youth policies, particularly the outsourcing of jobs to outsiders. Also Read: BIMSTEC NSA meet and a stable Bay of Bengal: How maritime security is crucial for trade flows The National Conference had promised one lakh jobs for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir but has failed to deliver. Instead of addressing unemployment and even basic issues like electricity and gas supply, the government is trying to divert public attention through political drama. This protest is just the beginning. The BJP will take this movement to every district of Jammu and Kashmir and continue protesting until the government provides a concrete solution to the employment crisis and safeguards opportunities meant for the youth of the region. The people deserve accountability, not distractions.'', said Altaf Thakur, Chief Spokesperson, BJP. However, the opposition parties in the Union Territory, including Mehbooba Mufti's PDP, have not yet clarified whether they will join the NC's protest at Jantar Mantar.

The National Conference will go ahead with its July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, while the BJP will stage a Secretariat Gherao in Srinagar over the alleged jobs outsourcing scam.

NC to go ahead with Jantar Mantar protest on July 20; BJP announces Secretariat Gherao in Srinagar the same day

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly erupted into pandemonium today after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Shagun Parihar sparked outrage by referring to locals in her Kishtwar constituency as "Rashtrawadi Hindu log" during a debate on regional development issues. Parihar, a first-time legislator, was highlighting alleged neglect in Kishtwar when she stated, "In our Kishtwar, we are Rashtrawadi Hindu log and we are being neglected; no work is being done." The remark, which blended nationalist ("Rashtrawadi") and religious ("Hindu") identifiers, immediately drew sharp objections from National Conference (NC) members, who accused her of injecting communal rhetoric into an official discussion.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-president-droupadi-murmu-undertakes-rafale-jet-sortie-from-ambala-s-air-force-station-1761720320903">WATCH: President Droupadi Murmu undertakes Rafale Jet sortie from Ambala's Air Force station</a>&nbsp;National Conference legislators rose in protest, chanting slogans and demanding that the comments be expunged from the records. “This is a blatant violation of the House's secular ethos,” one NC MLA shouted amid the din, as others pressed for immediate disciplinary action.&nbsp;&nbsp;Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather intervened swiftly, appealing for calm and assuring the House that any statement undermining its dignity or secular principles would not stand. “Maintain decorum; we are here for constructive dialogue,” he urged, before counselling Parihar directly: “You are a first-time MLA with big goals ahead. Focus on hard work and disciplined language in your address.” The uproar, which disrupted proceedings for several minutes, eventually subsided following repeated appeals from the Chair, allowing the session to resume.

The remark, which blended nationalist (Rashtrawadi) and religious (Hindu) identifiers, immediately drew sharp objections from National Conference members, who accused her of injecting communal rhetoric into an official discussion

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly erupted into pandemonium today after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Shagun Parihar sparked outrage by referring to locals in her Kishtwar constituency as "Rashtrawadi Hindu log" during a debate on regional development issues. Parihar, a first-time legislator, was highlighting alleged neglect in Kishtwar when she stated, "In our Kishtwar, we are Rashtrawadi Hindu log and we are being neglected; no work is being done." The remark, which blended nationalist ("Rashtrawadi") and religious ("Hindu") identifiers, immediately drew sharp objections from National Conference (NC) members, who accused her of injecting communal rhetoric into an official discussion. Also Read: WATCH: President Droupadi Murmu undertakes Rafale Jet sortie from Ambala's Air Force station National Conference legislators rose in protest, chanting slogans and demanding that the comments be expunged from the records. “This is a blatant violation of the House's secular ethos,” one NC MLA shouted amid the din, as others pressed for immediate disciplinary action. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather intervened swiftly, appealing for calm and assuring the House that any statement undermining its dignity or secular principles would not stand. “Maintain decorum; we are here for constructive dialogue,” he urged, before counselling Parihar directly: “You are a first-time MLA with big goals ahead. Focus on hard work and disciplined language in your address.” The uproar, which disrupted proceedings for several minutes, eventually subsided following repeated appeals from the Chair, allowing the session to resume.

The remark, which blended nationalist (Rashtrawadi) and religious (Hindu) identifiers, immediately drew sharp objections from National Conference members, who accused her of injecting communal rhetoric into an official discussion

Chaos in J&K assembly as BJP MLA's remark sparks row

Srinagar: The Congress party has expressed disappointment over the unfruitful negotiations with its ally, the National Conference (NC), regarding the allocation of four Rajya Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the friction, Congress has reaffirmed its commitment to the alliance, prioritising unity against what it describes as the BJP’s “agenda of atrocities and subjugation.”&nbsp;In a candid statement, Congress highlighted that the seat-sharing discussions were “not so pleasant,” citing unmet expectations from the alliance forged during the 2024 Assembly elections. The partnership, rooted in a shared commitment to counter the BJP and serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir, has faced challenges over the past year. Congress leaders and cadres reportedly endured “humiliations and apathy” from NC, straining the coalition.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trinidad-and-tobago-plans-to-build-ram-mandir-eyes-role-as-west-s-hindu-heritage-hub-1761226380234">Trinidad and Tobago plans to build Ram Mandir, eyes role as West’s Hindu heritage hub</a>&nbsp;Despite these setbacks, Congress emphasised its unwavering dedication to secular values and its resolve to forgo personal and party interests for a larger cause. “Our electoral alliance with NC in 2024 emanated from this larger commitment of ours,” the statement read, underscoring the party’s disdain for the BJP’s policies in the region.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/king-charles-the-head-of-church-of-england-prays-publicly-with-pope-in-a-500-year-first-1761222338198">King Charles, the head of Church of England, prays publicly with Pope in a 500-year first</a>&nbsp;Acknowledging the “hiccups” common in such arrangements, Congress reiterated that it was never a “partner in compulsion” and remains steadfast in its fight against communal forces, particularly the BJP. The party announced its decision to support NC candidates for the Rajya Sabha seats, describing them as “Candidates of Alliance.” This move, guided by Congress’s central leadership, reflects the party’s willingness to set aside differences for the sake of unity at a critical juncture.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-purely-counterproductive-russia-fumes-over-trump-sanctions-on-its-oil-companies-1761230271142">‘Purely counterproductive’: Russia fumes over Trump sanctions on its oil companies</a>&nbsp;“Having or not having a share in seats of any institutions, even as legitimate, is immaterial for us and our persistent pro-people struggle,” the statement added. Congress expressed pride in its ethos and urged NC to “prove itself” in upholding the alliance’s shared goals.&nbsp;The statement concluded with a call for solidarity, emphasizing the need to confront the “paramount challenges” posed by the BJP.&nbsp;WATCH: Indian army to raise 25 new Bhairav Battalions<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-army-to-raise-25-new-bhairav-battalions-1761240209469/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-army-to-raise-25-new-bhairav-battalions-1761240209469/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

In a statement, Congress highlighted that the seat-sharing discussions were “not so pleasant,” citing unmet expectations from the alliance forged during the 2024 Assembly elections. Congress leaders and cadres reportedly endured “humiliations and apathy” from NC, straining the coalition.

Srinagar: The Congress party has expressed disappointment over the unfruitful negotiations with its ally, the National Conference (NC), regarding the allocation of four Rajya Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the friction, Congress has reaffirmed its commitment to the alliance, prioritising unity against what it describes as the BJP’s “agenda of atrocities and subjugation.” In a candid statement, Congress highlighted that the seat-sharing discussions were “not so pleasant,” citing unmet expectations from the alliance forged during the 2024 Assembly elections. The partnership, rooted in a shared commitment to counter the BJP and serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir, has faced challenges over the past year. Congress leaders and cadres reportedly endured “humiliations and apathy” from NC, straining the coalition. Also Read: Trinidad and Tobago plans to build Ram Mandir, eyes role as West’s Hindu heritage hub Despite these setbacks, Congress emphasised its unwavering dedication to secular values and its resolve to forgo personal and party interests for a larger cause. “Our electoral alliance with NC in 2024 emanated from this larger commitment of ours,” the statement read, underscoring the party’s disdain for the BJP’s policies in the region. Also Read: King Charles, the head of Church of England, prays publicly with Pope in a 500-year first Acknowledging the “hiccups” common in such arrangements, Congress reiterated that it was never a “partner in compulsion” and remains steadfast in its fight against communal forces, particularly the BJP. The party announced its decision to support NC candidates for the Rajya Sabha seats, describing them as “Candidates of Alliance.” This move, guided by Congress’s central leadership, reflects the party’s willingness to set aside differences for the sake of unity at a critical juncture. Also Read: ‘Purely counterproductive’: Russia fumes over Trump sanctions on its oil companies “Having or not having a share in seats of any institutions, even as legitimate, is immaterial for us and our persistent pro-people struggle,” the statement added. Congress expressed pride in its ethos and urged NC to “prove itself” in upholding the alliance’s shared goals. The statement concluded with a call for solidarity, emphasizing the need to confront the “paramount challenges” posed by the BJP. WATCH: Indian army to raise 25 new Bhairav Battalions https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-army-to-raise-25-new-bhairav-battalions-1761240209469/embed

In a statement, Congress highlighted that the seat-sharing discussions were “not so pleasant,” citing unmet expectations from the alliance forged during the 2024 Assembly elections. Congress leaders and cadres reportedly endured “humiliations and apathy” from NC, straining the coalition.

Congress-NC alliance faces tensions over Rajya Sabha seat sharing, yet vows to unite against BJP

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly opened its nine-day autumn session on Thursday (October 23) amid solemn tributes to departed MLAs, setting the stage for heated debates on statehood, reservations, and labour rights, while pre-session protests amplified calls for justice. The session's commencement featured emotional condolence motions, quickly overshadowed by fiery exchanges.&nbsp;&nbsp;National Conference MLA Bashir Ahmad Veeri sparked outrage among BJP legislators by praising late BJP MLC Ramesh Arora's ‘secular mindset’ while labelling his party ‘communal’ during tributes. BJP members erupted in slogans, demanding an apology for the ‘inappropriate’ remarks in a hallowed moment. In another clash, BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma rebuked CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami for injecting political history into the proceedings, insisting the forum was for homage, not debate. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather swiftly intervened, calling for restraint to preserve the session's dignity.&nbsp;Outside the assembly hall, a coalition of National Conference, Congress, and allied legislators staged a silent protest demanding the release of jailed Doda MLA Mehraj Malik, arrested under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and held in Kathua jail since earlier this year. Placards reading ‘Free Mehraj Malik’ and "Restore Doda’s Representation" underscored growing bipartisan pressure for his unconditional freedom, with protesters vowing to keep the issue alive inside the chamber.&nbsp;Adding urgency, Friday's (October 24) Rajya Sabha elections loom large, with the National Conference eyeing all four vacant seats—unfilled since 2021 due to electoral delays. NC leaders expressed confidence in clinching the polls by courting support from PDP and independents, aiming to block BJP's regional inroads. "This is about safeguarding J&amp;K's voice in Delhi," an NC spokesperson said.&nbsp;As deliberations intensify, the session promises a charged atmosphere, with MLAs poised to tackle demands for restored statehood, equitable reservation policies, and protections for thousands of daily wage workers. Officials anticipate robust political manoeuvring, underscoring the assembly's pivotal role in the union territory's evolving governance.

Jammu and Kashmir assembly session commences with emotional tributes, heated clashes

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly opened its nine-day autumn session on Thursday (October 23) amid solemn tributes to departed MLAs, setting the stage for heated debates on statehood, reservations, and labour rights, while pre-session protests amplified calls for justice. The session's commencement featured emotional condolence motions, quickly overshadowed by fiery exchanges. National Conference MLA Bashir Ahmad Veeri sparked outrage among BJP legislators by praising late BJP MLC Ramesh Arora's ‘secular mindset’ while labelling his party ‘communal’ during tributes. BJP members erupted in slogans, demanding an apology for the ‘inappropriate’ remarks in a hallowed moment. In another clash, BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma rebuked CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami for injecting political history into the proceedings, insisting the forum was for homage, not debate. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather swiftly intervened, calling for restraint to preserve the session's dignity. Outside the assembly hall, a coalition of National Conference, Congress, and allied legislators staged a silent protest demanding the release of jailed Doda MLA Mehraj Malik, arrested under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and held in Kathua jail since earlier this year. Placards reading ‘Free Mehraj Malik’ and "Restore Doda’s Representation" underscored growing bipartisan pressure for his unconditional freedom, with protesters vowing to keep the issue alive inside the chamber. Adding urgency, Friday's (October 24) Rajya Sabha elections loom large, with the National Conference eyeing all four vacant seats—unfilled since 2021 due to electoral delays. NC leaders expressed confidence in clinching the polls by courting support from PDP and independents, aiming to block BJP's regional inroads. "This is about safeguarding J&K's voice in Delhi," an NC spokesperson said. As deliberations intensify, the session promises a charged atmosphere, with MLAs poised to tackle demands for restored statehood, equitable reservation policies, and protections for thousands of daily wage workers. Officials anticipate robust political manoeuvring, underscoring the assembly's pivotal role in the union territory's evolving governance.

Outside the assembly hall, a coalition of National Conference, Congress, and allied legislators staged a silent protest demanding the release of jailed Doda MLA Mehraj Malik, arrested under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and held in Kathua jail since earlier this year

Omar Abdullah, the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, stepped down from his position as the MLA for the Budgam constituency on Monday, opting to keep his Ganderbal seat, a stronghold of the National Conference (NC), after getting elected from both.

Omar Abdullah, the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, stepped down from his position as the MLA for the Budgam constituency on Monday, opting to keep his Ganderbal seat, a stronghold of the National Conference (NC), after getting elected from both. Ganderbal: Abdullah family's bastion Ganderbal has long been associated with the Abdullah family, with NC founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah representing the area in 1977 and Farooq Abdullah, the current party president, doing so in 1983, 1987, and 1996. Omar Abdullah, now 54, served as the Ganderbal MLA from 2008 to 2014 during his first term as Jammu and Kashmir's chief minister. Also read: Pannun's 'do not fly' Air India threat resurfaces amid hoax bomb calls In the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, Omar Abdullah secured the Ganderbal seat by defeating Bashir Ahmad Mir of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with a margin of over 10,000 votes. Abdullah achieved victory in the Budgam constituency also, defeating his closest competitor, Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi of the PDP, by 18,485 votes. Despite this win, he chose to resign from Budgam, reducing the National Conference's numbers in the 95-member assembly to 41. However, the party still maintains a comfortable majority with the support of six Congress MLAs, five Independents, and one member each from AAP and CPI(M). Also read: India and China reach agreement on patrolling along Line of Actual Control Earlier in the day, pro-tem speaker Mubarak Gul administered the oath to the newly elected assembly members. According to PTI, Omar Abdullah took his oath in Kashmiri, a language he had been criticised for not using often enough. Among the 51 first-time members in the assembly is 29-year-old Shagun Parihar from the BJP, who represents Kishtwar and is the youngest member. On the other hand, NC veteran Abdul Rahim Rather, who represents Chrar-e-Sharief, is the oldest at 80. (With inputs from agencies)

India: J&K CM Omar Abdullah resigns as Budgam MLA, chooses family stronghold Ganderbal

Omar Abdullah is set to be sworn in as the next chief minister of Jammu & Kashmir on October 16. The oath-taking ceremony will take place at 11:30 am. On Monday (Oct 14), Abdullah, representing the National Conference, shared on X a letter from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inviting him to take the oath on that date.

Omar Abdullah is set to be sworn in as the next chief minister of Jammu & Kashmir on October 16. The oath-taking ceremony will take place at 11:30 am. On Monday (Oct 14), Abdullah, representing the National Conference, shared on X a letter from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inviting him to take the oath on that date. In the letter, Sinha said, "I have received a letter of 11th October, 2024 from Dr. Farooq Abdullah, President, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, wherein it has been informed that you have been unanimously elected as Leader of the Legislature Party." Was pleased to receive the Principal Secretary to LG Manoj Sinha ji. He handed over a letter from the @OfficeOfLGJandK inviting me to form the next government in J&K. pic.twitter.com/D2OeFJwlKi — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 14, 2024 × Also read: Ahead of SCO Summit, Jaishankar’s visit to Pakistan includes possible dinner with PM Shehbaz Sharif: Report "I am pleased to invite you to form and lead the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. As separately settled, I shall administer Oath of Office and Secrecy to you, and to those recommended by you for induction as members of your Council of Ministers, at SKICC, Srinagar, on 16th October, 2024 at 11:30 AM," the letter stated. He also extended his best wishes, saying, "I take this opportunity to wish you a highly productive tenure and success in your endeavors in the best interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir." Also read: India recalls high commissioner, top diplomats to Canada as ties collapse The LG’s emissary delivered the letter to Abdullah, officially informing him of the ceremony’s details. Abdullah posted on X, "Was pleased to receive the Principal Secretary to LG Manoj Sinha ji. He handed over a letter from the @OfficeOfLGJandK inviting me to form the next government in J&K." This will mark Omar Abdullah's second term as chief minister. His first term, from 2009 to 2014, was during the NC-Congress coalition government. In recent elections held in three phases, the NC won 42 out of 90 seats, while its coalition partner, Congress, secured six seats. Together, they hold the majority in the 95-member assembly. Additionally, four independent MLAs and one AAP MLA have extended their support to the NC. (With inputs from agencies)

Omar Abdullah to be sworn in as Jammu & Kashmir chief minister on October 16

In a fresh twist in Jammu and Kashmir politics, four Independent MLAs have extended support to&nbsp;the National Conference for the formation of government. With this development, the National Conference has hit the magic number of 46 on its own. The National Conference can now stake claim for forming government without the support of Congress or any other party.&nbsp;

The Vice President of the National Conference,&nbsp;Omar Abdullah, was on Thursday chosen as the leader of the legislative party and candidate for the chief minister's post of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

The meeting was attended by all 42 MLAs of National Conference, and&nbsp;the four Independent MLAs.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-election-2024/jammu-kashmir-assembly-election-results-2024-live-updates-counting-vidhan-sabha-wining-party-nc-pdp-bjp-cong-765351">Also read:&nbsp;JK Assembly Elections Results 2024 highlights: Counting complete, NC tops with 42 seats</a>

"Today in the meeting of the National Conference Legislature Party, I have been elected as the leader of the Legislature Party. I express my gratitude to the MLAs. Talks are going on to get the letter of support from Congress. Four independent MLAs have also extended their support to the National Conference. Now the number of NCs is 42 plus 4 independent MLAs. After receiving the letter from Congress, we will go to the Raj Bhavan to stake claim to form the government," said Omar.&nbsp;

With the National Conference getting the majority numbers on its own, the party will have the upper hand in the formation of government as well as in choosing the ministerial berths. Congress party has no choice but to toe the line of the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir. Sources in the party have said that Congress will get one ministerial berth in the cabinet.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Jammu &amp; Kashmir Polls: Congress-National Conference Alliance Storms To Power | WION Originals

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''We have unanimously chosen Omar Abdullah as our leader. It was a proud moment for all of us and it was very emotional. The leadership of NC met like this after ten long years and Omar saab was chosen as the leader. I am sure his experience will help in solving the problems of people. Absolutely, we are sure he will be the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir,'' said Salman Sagar, MLA from&nbsp;Hazratbal.&nbsp;

It is likely that the National Conference and Congress will go to LG's office on Thursday to stake the claim for the formation of the government.&nbsp;

In a fresh twist in Jammu and Kashmir politics, four Independent MLAs have extended support to the National Conference for the formation of government. With this development, the National Conference has hit the magic number of 46 on its own.

In a fresh twist in Jammu and Kashmir politics, four Independent MLAs have extended support to the National Conference for the formation of government. With this development, the National Conference has hit the magic number of 46 on its own. The National Conference can now stake claim for forming government without the support of Congress or any other party. The Vice President of the National Conference, Omar Abdullah, was on Thursday chosen as the leader of the legislative party and candidate for the chief minister's post of Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by all 42 MLAs of National Conference, and the four Independent MLAs. Also read: JK Assembly Elections Results 2024 highlights: Counting complete, NC tops with 42 seats "Today in the meeting of the National Conference Legislature Party, I have been elected as the leader of the Legislature Party. I express my gratitude to the MLAs. Talks are going on to get the letter of support from Congress. Four independent MLAs have also extended their support to the National Conference. Now the number of NCs is 42 plus 4 independent MLAs. After receiving the letter from Congress, we will go to the Raj Bhavan to stake claim to form the government," said Omar. With the National Conference getting the majority numbers on its own, the party will have the upper hand in the formation of government as well as in choosing the ministerial berths. Congress party has no choice but to toe the line of the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir. Sources in the party have said that Congress will get one ministerial berth in the cabinet. Watch | Jammu & Kashmir Polls: Congress-National Conference Alliance Storms To Power | WION Originals × ''We have unanimously chosen Omar Abdullah as our leader. It was a proud moment for all of us and it was very emotional. The leadership of NC met like this after ten long years and Omar saab was chosen as the leader. I am sure his experience will help in solving the problems of people. Absolutely, we are sure he will be the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir,'' said Salman Sagar, MLA from Hazratbal. It is likely that the National Conference and Congress will go to LG's office on Thursday to stake the claim for the formation of the government.

J&K: Omar Abdullah elected as National Conference legislature party leader

The Congress and National Conference have finalised an agreement for seat-sharing for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir's assembly elections, senior leaders from both parties announced on Monday (August 26).

The Congress and National Conference have finalised an agreement for seat-sharing for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir's assembly elections, senior leaders from both parties announced on Monday (August 26). 51-32: National Conference, Congress formula for J&K According to J&K Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra, "National Conference will contest 51 seats, Congress on 32, and we have agreed on a friendly yet disciplined contest for 5 seats. Besides these 88 seats, we have reserved one seat for CPI (M) and another for the Panthers Party." United to combat divisive forces: Farooq Abdullah National Conference president Farooq Abdullah expressed satisfaction with the alliance, stating that both parties have united to combat divisive forces in Jammu and Kashmir. Also read: BJP rebukes Kangana Ranaut for linking farmers' protests to Bangladesh unrest: 'Not the party's stand' "It is a matter of great happiness that we began this campaign to stand together against those trying to create divisions among people here. The whole country and INDIA alliance was formed to resist those forces aiming to communalise, divide, and break the country. Today, we have successfully completed negotiations in a very cordial atmosphere. Congress and the National Conference will contest the elections together," said former chief minister, Farooq Abdullah. 'BJP is trying to destroy the soul of J&K' Congress general secretary KC Venugopal added, "The BJP is trying to destroy the soul of Jammu and Kashmir. Our INDIA alliance's primary goal is to protect the soul of Jammu and Kashmir. That's why Congress and National Conference are joining forces to establish a government in J&K that is truly in tune with the people of the region." J&K polls scheduled to take place in three phases The elections for Jammu and Kashmir's 90-member assembly are scheduled to take place in three phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1. The results will be declared on October 4. As of now, 14 candidates have submitted their nomination papers for the first phase. The deadline for filing nominations for this phase is August 27. (With inputs from agencies)

J&K elections: National Conference, Congress finalise seat-sharing formula | Check details

Political party National Conference (NC) has announced a pre-poll alliance with the Congress and CPI(M) in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the assembly elections in the Indian Union Territory starting September 18.&nbsp;

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi along with Congress President Malikarjun Kharge went to NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah’s residence in Srinagar before leaving for Jammu. Rahul was on a two-day visit to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

In the meeting, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah was also present along with a few party leaders. Minutes after Rahul Gandhi left Abdullah’s residence, the NC president spoke to the media and announced that the National Conference would have a pre-poll alliance with Congress and CPI(M) in the upcoming elections.&nbsp;

“Alliance on all 90 assembly seats between the two parties. Paperwork to be finalised by tonight. Congress, NC and CPI(M) are together. We will work together and fight the elections. We are hopeful that statehood will be returned. No doors are closed for anyone,” said Farooq Abdullah.&nbsp;

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that his party and the INDIA bloc are committed to ensuring the restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kolkata-doctor-rape-murder-case-live-sc-seeks-status-report-from-cbi-state-govt-752144">Kolkata rape-murder case: SC orders state govt on peaceful protesters</a>

“It’s our priority to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible. We wanted it to be done before elections, but we are hoping the statehood will be restored soon. This is the first time since independence that a state has become a union territory. We are very clear that it’s a priority for us to get their democratic rights back. The congress party is always there with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh,” said Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Congress president said, “We want to keep the entire opposition together. BJP couldn’t ensure elections in J&amp;K. The party announced polls under pressure in the wake of Supreme Court directions. I want to put it on record that BJP can’t suppress the peoples’ voices anymore in J&amp;K. Congress is committed to work for the welfare of the people of J&amp;K. Tall claims of BJP that post Article 370, terrorism has been wiped out in J&amp;K, have fallen flat. Infiltration has gone up and terrorism incidents have also witnessed a spike.”

The Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir will start on September 18 and will be held in three phases.&nbsp;

Political party National Conference (NC) has announced a pre-poll alliance with the Congress and CPI(M) in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the assembly elections in the Indian Union Territory starting September 18.

Political party National Conference (NC) has announced a pre-poll alliance with the Congress and CPI(M) in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the assembly elections in the Indian Union Territory starting September 18. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi along with Congress President Malikarjun Kharge went to NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah’s residence in Srinagar before leaving for Jammu. Rahul was on a two-day visit to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. In the meeting, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah was also present along with a few party leaders. Minutes after Rahul Gandhi left Abdullah’s residence, the NC president spoke to the media and announced that the National Conference would have a pre-poll alliance with Congress and CPI(M) in the upcoming elections. “Alliance on all 90 assembly seats between the two parties. Paperwork to be finalised by tonight. Congress, NC and CPI(M) are together. We will work together and fight the elections. We are hopeful that statehood will be returned. No doors are closed for anyone,” said Farooq Abdullah. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that his party and the INDIA bloc are committed to ensuring the restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible. Also read: Kolkata rape-murder case: SC orders state govt on peaceful protesters “It’s our priority to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible. We wanted it to be done before elections, but we are hoping the statehood will be restored soon. This is the first time since independence that a state has become a union territory. We are very clear that it’s a priority for us to get their democratic rights back. The congress party is always there with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh,” said Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. Meanwhile, the Congress president said, “We want to keep the entire opposition together. BJP couldn’t ensure elections in J&K. The party announced polls under pressure in the wake of Supreme Court directions. I want to put it on record that BJP can’t suppress the peoples’ voices anymore in J&K. Congress is committed to work for the welfare of the people of J&K. Tall claims of BJP that post Article 370, terrorism has been wiped out in J&K, have fallen flat. Infiltration has gone up and terrorism incidents have also witnessed a spike.” The Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir will start on September 18 and will be held in three phases.

NC announces pre-poll alliance with Congress for upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir

The National Conference (NC) announced candidature for the two Parliamentary seats in the Kashmir Valley on Friday (Apr 12). Party President Dr Farooq Abdullah announced that former chief minister and NC Vice President, Omar Abdullah will be their candidate from North Kashmir's Baramulla Parliamentary constituency. The party has chosen Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi as their candidate for the Srinagar Parliamentary constituency.

Omar Abdullah would be fighting Peoples Conference President Sajad Gani Lone from the Baramulla constituency. Omar Abdullah joined politics in 1998 as a Lok Sabha member from Srinagar. He was again elected to Lok Sabha in 1999 and 2004.

Omar served as a minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. He lost the 2002 state polls to PDP’s Qazi Afzal from Ganderbal, considered a bastion of Abdullah’s. In the 2008 polls, he won from the Ganderbal segment and in the 2014 Assembly polls, Omar fought from two segments. He was defeated by PDP’s Muhammad Ashraf Mir from the Sonawar segment but won by a narrow margin against Nazir Ahmad Khan from the Beerwah seat.

Meanwhile, an influential Shia leader from Budgam, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi is a three-time legislator from Central Kashmir's Budgam district. The NC has decided to field him from Srinagar parliamentary constituency replacing Dr Farooq Abdullah who due to health issues has stayed away from the elections this time.&nbsp;

The National Conference had already announced candidates for the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency, where party leader Mian Altaf is in contest with two former chief ministers of J&amp;K, Mehbooba Mufti and Ghulam Nabi Azad. &nbsp;

The Udhampur parliamentary seat will go to polls on April 19, with BJP's Dr Jitendra Singh competing&nbsp;against Congress leader, Lal Singh.&nbsp;

The National Conference (NC) announced candidature for the two Parliamentary seats in the Kashmir Valley on Friday (Apr 12). Party President Dr Farooq Abdullah announced that former chief minister and NC Vice President, Omar Abdullah will be their candidate from North Kashmir's Baramulla Parliamentary constituency.

The National Conference (NC) announced candidature for the two Parliamentary seats in the Kashmir Valley on Friday (Apr 12). Party President Dr Farooq Abdullah announced that former chief minister and NC Vice President, Omar Abdullah will be their candidate from North Kashmir's Baramulla Parliamentary constituency. The party has chosen Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi as their candidate for the Srinagar Parliamentary constituency. Omar Abdullah would be fighting Peoples Conference President Sajad Gani Lone from the Baramulla constituency. Omar Abdullah joined politics in 1998 as a Lok Sabha member from Srinagar. He was again elected to Lok Sabha in 1999 and 2004. Omar served as a minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. He lost the 2002 state polls to PDP’s Qazi Afzal from Ganderbal, considered a bastion of Abdullah’s. In the 2008 polls, he won from the Ganderbal segment and in the 2014 Assembly polls, Omar fought from two segments. He was defeated by PDP’s Muhammad Ashraf Mir from the Sonawar segment but won by a narrow margin against Nazir Ahmad Khan from the Beerwah seat. Meanwhile, an influential Shia leader from Budgam, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi is a three-time legislator from Central Kashmir's Budgam district. The NC has decided to field him from Srinagar parliamentary constituency replacing Dr Farooq Abdullah who due to health issues has stayed away from the elections this time. The National Conference had already announced candidates for the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency, where party leader Mian Altaf is in contest with two former chief ministers of J&K, Mehbooba Mufti and Ghulam Nabi Azad. The Udhampur parliamentary seat will go to polls on April 19, with BJP's Dr Jitendra Singh competing against Congress leader, Lal Singh.

Lok Sabha elections: Omar Abdullah to contest from North Kashmir’s Baramulla

The BJP on Monday accused National Conference supremo Farooq Abdullah of making "seditious and anti-national" remarks on the issue of restoring the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and said he had become a "hero in China".

BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said that the National Conference MP and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir in an interview to a TV channel stated that "with China's support", Article 370 of the Constitution, which conferred special status to Jammu and Kashmir, will be restored.

Addressing a press conference at the party office, Patra claimed Abdullah has also justified China's recent aggression at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) by saying that the abrogation of Article 370 by the Indian parliament has irked and disturbed the communist country.

Underlining that Article 370 was abrogated in a "constitutional manner" by the Indian parliament, the BJP leader said, "Abdullah remarks are seditious and anti-national."

Patra said it is painful and worrisome that a former chief minister and sitting MP makes such a statement and "justifies the expansionist attitude of China".

Parliamentarians from opposition parties have the right to attack and criticise the government, but "does it suit a sitting MP to speak against the interests of his own country out of frustration against Prime Minister Narendra Modi", he said.

Drawing parallels between the remarks of Abdullah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Patra said they both have a similar mindset and are two sides of the same coin.

"It is not just Farooq Abdullah who makes such statements. Rahul Gandhi also does so. If you look back into history and listen to the recent statements of Rahul Gandhi, you will find that both these leaders are two sides of the same coin," Patra said.

He said that by questioning the Balakot airstrike, Rahul Gandhi had become a hero in Pakistan and, similarly, with the recent remarks "Abdullah has become a hero in China."

The BJP on Monday accused National Conference supremo Farooq Abdullah of making "seditious and anti-national" remarks on the issue of restoring the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and said he had become a "hero in China".

The BJP on Monday accused National Conference supremo Farooq Abdullah of making "seditious and anti-national" remarks on the issue of restoring the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and said he had become a "hero in China". BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said that the National Conference MP and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir in an interview to a TV channel stated that "with China's support", Article 370 of the Constitution, which conferred special status to Jammu and Kashmir, will be restored. Addressing a press conference at the party office, Patra claimed Abdullah has also justified China's recent aggression at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) by saying that the abrogation of Article 370 by the Indian parliament has irked and disturbed the communist country. Underlining that Article 370 was abrogated in a "constitutional manner" by the Indian parliament, the BJP leader said, "Abdullah remarks are seditious and anti-national." Patra said it is painful and worrisome that a former chief minister and sitting MP makes such a statement and "justifies the expansionist attitude of China". Parliamentarians from opposition parties have the right to attack and criticise the government, but "does it suit a sitting MP to speak against the interests of his own country out of frustration against Prime Minister Narendra Modi", he said. Drawing parallels between the remarks of Abdullah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Patra said they both have a similar mindset and are two sides of the same coin. "It is not just Farooq Abdullah who makes such statements. Rahul Gandhi also does so. If you look back into history and listen to the recent statements of Rahul Gandhi, you will find that both these leaders are two sides of the same coin," Patra said. He said that by questioning the Balakot airstrike, Rahul Gandhi had become a hero in Pakistan and, similarly, with the recent remarks "Abdullah has become a hero in China."

Farooq Abdullah has become a 'hero in China': BJP hits out at National Conference supremo over his comments on Article 370

A 15 member delegation of the National Conference on Sunday met with their party president Farooq Abdullah at his residence in Srinagar where he is currently under house arrest since abrogation of Article 370.

The delegation will meet his son, Omar Abdullah, separately, later in the day.

The meeting comes a day after the party was permitted by Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik to meet the father-son duo.

Farooq, clad in a grey suit and signature headgear, looked hale and hearty. He flashed a victory sign as he stood with the visiting party leaders and wife Molly Abdullah for a photograph.

Speaking to ANI before entering the residence of the chief, party lawmaker Akbar Lone cleared the party`s stand on the abrogation of the region`s special status. "We have been cheated. We are trying to bring Article 370 back."

Another lawmaker, Hasnain Masoodi, who met Abdullah, echoed similar sentiments and sought "everything to be rolled back to what it was prior to August 5".

"We expect the central government to take cognizance of the constitutional issue. The constitution has been disregarded and assaulted," he said.

Masoodi said that everything is "meaningless" as Article 370, 35A and special status are the "primary importance" for the party.

"The bottom line is that whatever was done was unilateral and done without consulting the stakeholders," he added.

After the Central government decided to revoke the special constitutional status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir (J&amp;K) under Article 370, two months ago, the region was placed under a communications blockade and several mainstream political leaders, including the father-son duo and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti were put under house arrest.

A 15 member delegation of the National Conference on Sunday met with their party president Farooq Abdullah at his residence in Srinagar where he is currently under house arrest since abrogation of Article 370.

A 15 member delegation of the National Conference on Sunday met with their party president Farooq Abdullah at his residence in Srinagar where he is currently under house arrest since abrogation of Article 370. The delegation will meet his son, Omar Abdullah, separately, later in the day. The meeting comes a day after the party was permitted by Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik to meet the father-son duo. Farooq, clad in a grey suit and signature headgear, looked hale and hearty. He flashed a victory sign as he stood with the visiting party leaders and wife Molly Abdullah for a photograph. Speaking to ANI before entering the residence of the chief, party lawmaker Akbar Lone cleared the party`s stand on the abrogation of the region`s special status. "We have been cheated. We are trying to bring Article 370 back." Another lawmaker, Hasnain Masoodi, who met Abdullah, echoed similar sentiments and sought "everything to be rolled back to what it was prior to August 5". "We expect the central government to take cognizance of the constitutional issue. The constitution has been disregarded and assaulted," he said. Masoodi said that everything is "meaningless" as Article 370, 35A and special status are the "primary importance" for the party. "The bottom line is that whatever was done was unilateral and done without consulting the stakeholders," he added. After the Central government decided to revoke the special constitutional status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) under Article 370, two months ago, the region was placed under a communications blockade and several mainstream political leaders, including the father-son duo and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti were put under house arrest.

National Conference delegation meets Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar, clarifies stand on Article 370

A 15-member National Conference (NC) delegation on Saturday met party President Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar.

Farooq and his son Omar Abdullah are under preventive detention following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5.

The security has been beefed around the venue. The delegation was allowed by the Jammu and Kashmir administration to meet the father-son duo yesterday.

After the Central government decided to revoke the special constitutional status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir (J&amp;K) under Article 370, two months ago, the region was placed under a communications blockade and several mainstream political leaders, including the father-son duo and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti were put under house arrest.

 
&nbsp;

A 15-member National Conference (NC) delegation on Saturday met party President Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar. Farooq and his son Omar Abdullah are under preventive detention following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5.

A 15-member National Conference (NC) delegation on Saturday met party President Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar. Farooq and his son Omar Abdullah are under preventive detention following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5. The security has been beefed around the venue. The delegation was allowed by the Jammu and Kashmir administration to meet the father-son duo yesterday. After the Central government decided to revoke the special constitutional status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) under Article 370, two months ago, the region was placed under a communications blockade and several mainstream political leaders, including the father-son duo and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti were put under house arrest.

Jammu and Kashmir: National Conference delegation meets Farooq Abdullah

The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference has swept all the three <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/this-is-a-mandate-to-form-new-india-pm-modi-delivers-first-address-after-lok-sabha-polls-result-221070">Lok Sabha</a> seats in Kashmir valley while the BJP continued its winning mark on Jammu, Udhampur and Ladakh parliamentary seats.&nbsp;

National Conference President and four-time J&amp;K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, who sought re-election, won comfortably from Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary seat, defeating Peoples Democratic Party candidate Aga Syed Mohsin.

Speaking to media after winning the election, he said that "the Parliament will not be easy and several important issues including Article-35-A and 370 which will have to be fought to save them," he said while blaming BJP for creating a divide among Hindus and Muslims in India.&nbsp;

Flanked by his son Omar Abdullah, Farooq stressed on the need to restart dialogue between India and Pakistan. Omar while speaking at the party office blamed Congress for defeat on Ladakh parliamentary seat by fielding their candidate against an Independent candidate.&nbsp;

"We fought elections so that we find a replacement for the BJP &amp; NDA but the country hasn't accepted this. Yes, after Balakote, the opposition was on the backfoot. Now, we can question if slogans like 'Chowkidar Chor Hai' was right or not? Was it important to focus on Rafale?" Omar asked.&nbsp;

Watch: WION in conversation with Omar Abdullah on Lok Sabha election results 2019

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-exclusive-in-conversation-with-omar-abdullah-lok-sabha-election-results-2019-220922/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In south Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party President and former chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tasted defeat in Anantnag parliamentary constituency. She was defeated by National Conference candidate and former judge Hasnain Masoodi in her bastion and stronghold.

This is Mehbooba's first big defeat after the death of her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and fall of the PDP-BJP coalition government in the state.

"I’ve been fortunate to get the love &amp; affection of my people. They have every right to express their anger for my failings. Accept their verdict with humility. Congratulations to winning candidates from NC. I’m grateful to my party workers &amp; colleagues," Mehbooba wrote on Twitter.

Her defeat has also come at a time when several top leaders have left the party due to several reasons.&nbsp;

The motormouth National Conference leader Akbar Lone defeated controversial leader Er. Rasheed and former cop turned politician Raja Aijaz Ali of the JK Peoples’ Conference. Lone was the education minister in Omar Abdullah's cabinet.&nbsp;

While MoS, PMO, Jitendra Singh also won the Udhampur seat by defeating Vikramaditya Singh of the Congress despite having the backing of two big regional forces National Conference and PDP. In Jammu, BJP candidate Jugal Kishore won again, defeating the Congress candidate Raman Bhalla.&nbsp;

Ladakh welcomed BJP once again, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal won the seat defeating independent candidate Asgar Ali Karbalai. Political parties are blaming Congress for the defeat by fielding a candidate against Asgar, dividing the vote. 
&nbsp;

The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference has swept all the three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir valley while the BJP continued its winning mark on Jammu, Udhampur and Ladakh parliamentary seats.

The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference has swept all the three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir valley while the BJP continued its winning mark on Jammu, Udhampur and Ladakh parliamentary seats. National Conference President and four-time J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, who sought re-election, won comfortably from Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary seat, defeating Peoples Democratic Party candidate Aga Syed Mohsin. Speaking to media after winning the election, he said that "the Parliament will not be easy and several important issues including Article-35-A and 370 which will have to be fought to save them," he said while blaming BJP for creating a divide among Hindus and Muslims in India. Flanked by his son Omar Abdullah, Farooq stressed on the need to restart dialogue between India and Pakistan. Omar while speaking at the party office blamed Congress for defeat on Ladakh parliamentary seat by fielding their candidate against an Independent candidate. "We fought elections so that we find a replacement for the BJP & NDA but the country hasn't accepted this. Yes, after Balakote, the opposition was on the backfoot. Now, we can question if slogans like 'Chowkidar Chor Hai' was right or not? Was it important to focus on Rafale?" Omar asked. Watch: WION in conversation with Omar Abdullah on Lok Sabha election results 2019 In south Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party President and former chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tasted defeat in Anantnag parliamentary constituency. She was defeated by National Conference candidate and former judge Hasnain Masoodi in her bastion and stronghold. This is Mehbooba's first big defeat after the death of her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and fall of the PDP-BJP coalition government in the state. "I’ve been fortunate to get the love & affection of my people. They have every right to express their anger for my failings. Accept their verdict with humility. Congratulations to winning candidates from NC. I’m grateful to my party workers & colleagues," Mehbooba wrote on Twitter. Her defeat has also come at a time when several top leaders have left the party due to several reasons. The motormouth National Conference leader Akbar Lone defeated controversial leader Er. Rasheed and former cop turned politician Raja Aijaz Ali of the JK Peoples’ Conference. Lone was the education minister in Omar Abdullah's cabinet. While MoS, PMO, Jitendra Singh also won the Udhampur seat by defeating Vikramaditya Singh of the Congress despite having the backing of two big regional forces National Conference and PDP. In Jammu, BJP candidate Jugal Kishore won again, defeating the Congress candidate Raman Bhalla. Ladakh welcomed BJP once again, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal won the seat defeating independent candidate Asgar Ali Karbalai. Political parties are blaming Congress for the defeat by fielding a candidate against Asgar, dividing the vote.

Lok Sabha election results 2019: National Conference sweeps Kashmir, BJP seals Jammu and Ladakh division

Watch this segment of India Election Watch for latest updates of India Election as on 23rd April 2019.

India Election Watch; 23rd April 2019

Srinagar is going to the polls for the second time in two years and this Lok Sabha constituency - comprising three districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal – is scheduled to go for polls on April 18 in the second phase of the five-phased elections in the state. &nbsp; &nbsp;

In 2017 by-election, only seven per cent voters turned out to exercise their franchise and during large scale violence, nine people died.

It was a relatively low key campaign in Srinagar with only Farooq Abdullah, who is seeking a fourth term in the lower house of Parliament from the seat, making his presence felt like a candidate.

Abdullah is pitched against political greenhorns Aga Moshin of the PDP, Irfan Ansari of the People's Conference and Khalid Jehangir of the BJP.

An election official said there were only 46 rallies in Srinagar district, a city of over 12 lakh residents, during the campaign period.

The polling on April 18 will be keenly watched within and outside Kashmir as the constituency recorded an all-time low of 7.2 per cent voter turn out in 2017 bye-election, marred by violence on polling day that left nine persons dead and scores of others injured.

Stringent security measures have been put in place for the polling as additional security personnel have been deployed across the Srinagar constituency to ensure peaceful and smooth conduct of elections, the official said.

As many as 12,90,318 voters are eligible to cast their votes with authorities having set up 1,716 polling stations in the constituency.&nbsp;

For migrant voters of the constituency, 26 polling stations have been set up with 21 in Jammu, one in Udhampur and four in New Delhi.&nbsp;

The Lok Sabha polls are being held in seven-phases for 543 seats on April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19, and counting will be on May 23.

Srinagar is going to the polls for the second time in two years and this Lok Sabha constituency - comprising three districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal – is scheduled to go for polls on April 18 in the second phase of the five-phased elections in the state.

Srinagar is going to the polls for the second time in two years and this Lok Sabha constituency - comprising three districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal – is scheduled to go for polls on April 18 in the second phase of the five-phased elections in the state. In 2017 by-election, only seven per cent voters turned out to exercise their franchise and during large scale violence, nine people died. It was a relatively low key campaign in Srinagar with only Farooq Abdullah, who is seeking a fourth term in the lower house of Parliament from the seat, making his presence felt like a candidate. Abdullah is pitched against political greenhorns Aga Moshin of the PDP, Irfan Ansari of the People's Conference and Khalid Jehangir of the BJP. An election official said there were only 46 rallies in Srinagar district, a city of over 12 lakh residents, during the campaign period. The polling on April 18 will be keenly watched within and outside Kashmir as the constituency recorded an all-time low of 7.2 per cent voter turn out in 2017 bye-election, marred by violence on polling day that left nine persons dead and scores of others injured. Stringent security measures have been put in place for the polling as additional security personnel have been deployed across the Srinagar constituency to ensure peaceful and smooth conduct of elections, the official said. As many as 12,90,318 voters are eligible to cast their votes with authorities having set up 1,716 polling stations in the constituency. For migrant voters of the constituency, 26 polling stations have been set up with 21 in Jammu, one in Udhampur and four in New Delhi. The Lok Sabha polls are being held in seven-phases for 543 seats on April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19, and counting will be on May 23.

Srinagar: A high stakes battle for PDP, National Conference

The terrorists on Tuesday hurled a grenade at the residence of National Conference (NC) leader Mohammad Ashraf Bhat's house in Tral area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.

The grenade exploded outside the house.&nbsp;

No injuries or casualties have been reported so far.&nbsp;

However, this is not the first time Bhat’s residence has been targeted. In July 2018, terrorists hurled a grenade at his residence, leaving a CRPF jawan injured.

Bhat is the son of former National Conference MLA Mohammad Subhan Bhat.

(With inputs from ANI)

The terrorists on Tuesday hurled a grenade at the residence of National Conference (NC) leader Mohammad Ashraf Bhat's house in Tral area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.

The terrorists on Tuesday hurled a grenade at the residence of National Conference (NC) leader Mohammad Ashraf Bhat's house in Tral area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. The grenade exploded outside the house. No injuries or casualties have been reported so far. However, this is not the first time Bhat’s residence has been targeted. In July 2018, terrorists hurled a grenade at his residence, leaving a CRPF jawan injured. Bhat is the son of former National Conference MLA Mohammad Subhan Bhat. (With inputs from ANI)

J&K: Grenade hurled at former National Conference leader Mohammad Ashraf Bhat's house

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti Friday said her People's Democratic Party (PDP) had an alliance with the BJP knowing it will be 'suicidal'.

When her party entered into a tie-up with the BJP to form government in J&amp;K, it was expected that prime minister Narendra Modi will reach out to Pakistan, she said.

"We knew it (alliance with the BJP) was suicidal for the party. Yet we put everything at stake. For a party which is seen as one that encourages talks with separatists, we thought Modi will rise to the occasion and since (former PM Atal Bihari) Vajpayee did not have that kind of a mandate, we thought he will reach out to Pakistan, to the people of J&amp;K and start what Vajpayee had left," she said.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
M Mufti: My father had a great vision. He wanted the political process started by Vajpayee ji to be taken forward by Modi ji. We thought though it'll damage us politically we'll be able to take Kashmiris out of the mess they're in. That was the real purpose, we staked everything. <a href="https://t.co/EsRXtkAz87">pic.twitter.com/EsRXtkAz87</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1073551009614577667?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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When Vajpayee ji was the prime minister and her father was chief minister of J&amp;K, the message which went out was both the Centre and the state government were on the same page and the 2002-2005 period became the "golden period", she said.

The PDP ensured a crowd of 30,000 when the prime minister was invited to the Kashmir valley but he did not rise to the occasion, she said, speaking at an event organised by the Observer Research Foundation.

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M Mufti on India-Pak relations after a new Pak PM: People keep saying Imran Khan is a proxy for Army. If he is that, that is better because Army and he will be on the same page &amp; if he is saying that stop, let's have a dialogue, let's go for reconciliation, that's all the better. <a href="https://t.co/XDcYBPCzZ5">pic.twitter.com/XDcYBPCzZ5</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1073558907186929665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"PM Modi had the mandate which Vajpayee ji did not. While forging an alliance with the BJP, we had thought if he (Modi) could solve Kashmir's woes, we did not mind if that meant an end of PDP. We took disillusionment (of people) on us for this purpose," Mufti said.

Asked if she would be open to an alliance with the Congress and the National Conference, she said, "We had never thought we would ally with the BJP. Now, an alliance with the Congress and NC depends on the need of the hour."

She said countries in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) are being held hostage to the dispute between India and Pakistan.

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M Mufti: So I see a chance but we may have to wait because of domestic politics. Kashmir&amp;India aren't made an issue in Pak during election but in India, unfortunately, politics is such that tougher your stance towards Pak&amp;Kashmir, more votes you expect to get. That's the problem. <a href="https://t.co/OYZBOU6m1a">pic.twitter.com/OYZBOU6m1a</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1073559178118094848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The countries in the regional grouping should come together and make Jammu and Kashmir a model of cooperation, the PDP chief said.

"SAARC countries are being held hostage due to the animosity between India and Pakistan. Why can't all the SAARC countries come together and make Jammu and Kashmir a model for co-operation of SAARC countries," she said.

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Mehbooba Mufti: I hope that the manner in which the decision over Rafale deal has been welcomed and no fingers have been pointed at it, similarly when the decision over Babri Masjid comes, it will be similarly awaited and people will not start pointing fingers at Supreme Court. <a href="https://t.co/wVjiFkCKYx">pic.twitter.com/wVjiFkCKYx</a>
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"Let's have a SAARC office of all countries in Jammu and Kashmir. Let's have a handicraft university of SAARC countries in Kashmir because there is no better place for handicraft than Kashmir," she said.

The need today is to make borders irrelevant, she said.

Jammu and Kashmir was placed under the governor's rule after the PDP-BJP alliance fell apart in June. Last month, governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the state assembly.&nbsp;

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti Friday said her People's Democratic Party (PDP) had an alliance with the BJP knowing it will be 'suicidal'.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti Friday said her People's Democratic Party (PDP) had an alliance with the BJP knowing it will be 'suicidal'. When her party entered into a tie-up with the BJP to form government in J&K, it was expected that prime minister Narendra Modi will reach out to Pakistan, she said. "We knew it (alliance with the BJP) was suicidal for the party. Yet we put everything at stake. For a party which is seen as one that encourages talks with separatists, we thought Modi will rise to the occasion and since (former PM Atal Bihari) Vajpayee did not have that kind of a mandate, we thought he will reach out to Pakistan, to the people of J&K and start what Vajpayee had left," she said. M Mufti: My father had a great vision. He wanted the political process started by Vajpayee ji to be taken forward by Modi ji. We thought though it'll damage us politically we'll be able to take Kashmiris out of the mess they're in. That was the real purpose, we staked everything. pic.twitter.com/EsRXtkAz87 — ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2018 × When Vajpayee ji was the prime minister and her father was chief minister of J&K, the message which went out was both the Centre and the state government were on the same page and the 2002-2005 period became the "golden period", she said. The PDP ensured a crowd of 30,000 when the prime minister was invited to the Kashmir valley but he did not rise to the occasion, she said, speaking at an event organised by the Observer Research Foundation. M Mufti on India-Pak relations after a new Pak PM: People keep saying Imran Khan is a proxy for Army. If he is that, that is better because Army and he will be on the same page & if he is saying that stop, let's have a dialogue, let's go for reconciliation, that's all the better. pic.twitter.com/XDcYBPCzZ5 — ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2018 × "PM Modi had the mandate which Vajpayee ji did not. While forging an alliance with the BJP, we had thought if he (Modi) could solve Kashmir's woes, we did not mind if that meant an end of PDP. We took disillusionment (of people) on us for this purpose," Mufti said. Asked if she would be open to an alliance with the Congress and the National Conference, she said, "We had never thought we would ally with the BJP. Now, an alliance with the Congress and NC depends on the need of the hour." She said countries in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) are being held hostage to the dispute between India and Pakistan. M Mufti: So I see a chance but we may have to wait because of domestic politics. Kashmir&India aren't made an issue in Pak during election but in India, unfortunately, politics is such that tougher your stance towards Pak&Kashmir, more votes you expect to get. That's the problem. pic.twitter.com/OYZBOU6m1a — ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2018 × The countries in the regional grouping should come together and make Jammu and Kashmir a model of cooperation, the PDP chief said. "SAARC countries are being held hostage due to the animosity between India and Pakistan. Why can't all the SAARC countries come together and make Jammu and Kashmir a model for co-operation of SAARC countries," she said. Mehbooba Mufti: I hope that the manner in which the decision over Rafale deal has been welcomed and no fingers have been pointed at it, similarly when the decision over Babri Masjid comes, it will be similarly awaited and people will not start pointing fingers at Supreme Court. pic.twitter.com/wVjiFkCKYx — ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2018 × "Let's have a SAARC office of all countries in Jammu and Kashmir. Let's have a handicraft university of SAARC countries in Kashmir because there is no better place for handicraft than Kashmir," she said. The need today is to make borders irrelevant, she said. Jammu and Kashmir was placed under the governor's rule after the PDP-BJP alliance fell apart in June. Last month, governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the state assembly.

Had alliance with BJP knowing it will be suicidal: Mehbooba Mufti

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah Monday ruled out a pre-poll alliance with any party for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, saying his party had joined hands with the PDP and Congress to "save the state".

The PDP had on November 21 staked claim to form a government with the backing of rival National Conference (NC) and the Congress. This was followed by another bid from the two-member People's Conference which claimed the support of the BJP and 18 MLAs from other parties.

After these developments, Governor Satyapal Malik abruptly dissolved the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on the night of November 21.

"We will fight the (assembly) election on our own. When we talk about forming the next government on our own, then there is no scope of leaving any seat for anyone, even as I know they are eyeing some seats," Abdullah said Monday while addressing a function at party headquarters here.

Defending his party's decision to join hands with the PDP and Congress to stake a claim for the formation government, the NC vice president said it was a difficult decision, taken to save the state after fighting as bitter rivals in the 2014 elections.

"We decided to do something to save the state, to strengthen the communal harmony and brotherhood, to restore peace - it was not an easy decision. I was aware that my party will suffer politically due to this decision," he said.

Asserting that he choose the state over his party, as it was for the betterment of Jammu and Kashmir and its people, Abdullah said the NC was to extend support to the PDP and Congress from outside and the government was to run for the time being till the situation gets back to normal for holding of fresh elections.

He called for holding of assembly polls in the state along with the general elections next year, and also challenged the BJP to announce its chief ministerial candidate while accusing the saffron party of betraying the people of Jammu region who had given it 26 seats in the last state elections.

The NC vice president said his party is prepared to face the people, unlike the BJP which is "trying to delay the elections on one pretext or the other knowing fully that it will face a drubbing in polls".

"We have started the selection of candidates for the state polls. The only condition is, give me a candidate who can win. There may be some seats where we have no chance, but there are seats which we have been winning and the time has come to take these seats back," the former chief minister said.

He said the BJP claimed that the plan to form the government was orchestrated in Dubai and London at the behest of Pakistan.

"We were not the one. But the second letter (from Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone) came from London," Abdullah said.

"When I asked him (Ram Madhav) to prove (the allegation), he took his words back, because he was caught in his own lies," he said.

BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on November 22 withdrew his words after a furious Omar Abdullah dared him to prove his allegation that his party had tied up with the PDP to form a government in Jammu and Kashmir at Pakistan's behest.

Abdullah said the PDP-Congress-NC combine had the numbers and there was no scope for horse-trading or any other malpractice here, unlike the BJP-supported group which had only 28 MLAs together.

The governor claimed that there were horse-trading attempts, he said and asked the BJP where did the other MLAs require to form the government came from.

"I can say with authority that the MLAs got threats from agencies. One MLA was told that either be part of the government for two years or prepare for arrest by NIA.

"Another senior MLA was threatened that a CBI case against him will be opened. This is the problem, those who are not able to come from the front door, are trying to grab the power by breaking the back door like a thief," Abdullah said."

"The compulsion when they (BJP) handed over the chief minister post to Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is understood as they had 26 MLAs while the PDP had 28. But how they can justify bringing a chief minister from a two-member party," he said.

The NC vice president claimed that the BJP will face a drubbing in the next assembly elections given the mood of the people.

"When the bugle for assembly elections is sounded, we will emerge as winners," he said.

"Our strategy will be -- to highlight the failures of the previous government and to reach out to the people and make them aware about the programmes and planning of the party for different sections of the society, besides focusing on basic amenities like water, power and roads," Abdullah said.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah Monday ruled out a pre-poll alliance with any party for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, saying his party had joined hands with the PDP and Congress to "save the state".

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah Monday ruled out a pre-poll alliance with any party for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, saying his party had joined hands with the PDP and Congress to "save the state". The PDP had on November 21 staked claim to form a government with the backing of rival National Conference (NC) and the Congress. This was followed by another bid from the two-member People's Conference which claimed the support of the BJP and 18 MLAs from other parties. After these developments, Governor Satyapal Malik abruptly dissolved the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on the night of November 21. "We will fight the (assembly) election on our own. When we talk about forming the next government on our own, then there is no scope of leaving any seat for anyone, even as I know they are eyeing some seats," Abdullah said Monday while addressing a function at party headquarters here. Defending his party's decision to join hands with the PDP and Congress to stake a claim for the formation government, the NC vice president said it was a difficult decision, taken to save the state after fighting as bitter rivals in the 2014 elections. "We decided to do something to save the state, to strengthen the communal harmony and brotherhood, to restore peace - it was not an easy decision. I was aware that my party will suffer politically due to this decision," he said. Asserting that he choose the state over his party, as it was for the betterment of Jammu and Kashmir and its people, Abdullah said the NC was to extend support to the PDP and Congress from outside and the government was to run for the time being till the situation gets back to normal for holding of fresh elections. He called for holding of assembly polls in the state along with the general elections next year, and also challenged the BJP to announce its chief ministerial candidate while accusing the saffron party of betraying the people of Jammu region who had given it 26 seats in the last state elections. The NC vice president said his party is prepared to face the people, unlike the BJP which is "trying to delay the elections on one pretext or the other knowing fully that it will face a drubbing in polls". "We have started the selection of candidates for the state polls. The only condition is, give me a candidate who can win. There may be some seats where we have no chance, but there are seats which we have been winning and the time has come to take these seats back," the former chief minister said. He said the BJP claimed that the plan to form the government was orchestrated in Dubai and London at the behest of Pakistan. "We were not the one. But the second letter (from Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone) came from London," Abdullah said. "When I asked him (Ram Madhav) to prove (the allegation), he took his words back, because he was caught in his own lies," he said. BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on November 22 withdrew his words after a furious Omar Abdullah dared him to prove his allegation that his party had tied up with the PDP to form a government in Jammu and Kashmir at Pakistan's behest. Abdullah said the PDP-Congress-NC combine had the numbers and there was no scope for horse-trading or any other malpractice here, unlike the BJP-supported group which had only 28 MLAs together. The governor claimed that there were horse-trading attempts, he said and asked the BJP where did the other MLAs require to form the government came from. "I can say with authority that the MLAs got threats from agencies. One MLA was told that either be part of the government for two years or prepare for arrest by NIA. "Another senior MLA was threatened that a CBI case against him will be opened. This is the problem, those who are not able to come from the front door, are trying to grab the power by breaking the back door like a thief," Abdullah said." "The compulsion when they (BJP) handed over the chief minister post to Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is understood as they had 26 MLAs while the PDP had 28. But how they can justify bringing a chief minister from a two-member party," he said. The NC vice president claimed that the BJP will face a drubbing in the next assembly elections given the mood of the people. "When the bugle for assembly elections is sounded, we will emerge as winners," he said. "Our strategy will be -- to highlight the failures of the previous government and to reach out to the people and make them aware about the programmes and planning of the party for different sections of the society, besides focusing on basic amenities like water, power and roads," Abdullah said.

Omar Abdullah rules out pre-poll alliance for Assembly elections in J&K

National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah Wednesday urged India and Pakistan to start a sustained dialogue process and advocated an Ireland-type settlement model to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"Abdullah impressed on the governments of India and Pakistan to start a sustained dialogue process and advocated an Ireland-type settlement model to resolve the procrastinated Jammu and Kashmir issue," an NC spokesman said.

He added that the NC chief said this while addressing a public gathering at Uri in north Kashmir's Baramulla district.

Abdullah urged the Centre to restore autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest.

"Autonomy is the only way ahead to address the political and developmental deficit of all the regions of Jammu and Kashmir. It will secure the secular character of our state and strengthen the bonds of amity and brotherhood," he said.

The Member of Parliament from Srinagar also said a day would come when the people of the state would breathe in a peaceful atmosphere, without any insecurity.

"We should not feel disheartened. The current situation is grave, but we have witnessed even worst throughout the history. At one time in our history, people would not buy the idea that the autocratic rule will end. But a day came when democratic forces usurped the kings's throne with determination and struggle," he added.

Abdullah asked the people to keep the faith and follow the path shown by the prophet of Islam.

"In this hour of grief and uncertainty, we should not let anxiety and hopelessness overpower us. We should follow the teaching of the prophet of Islam in our day-to-day lives. Hopelessness is a curse," he said.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said the NC had to face many challenges since its inception and that scores of party functionaries were "preyed upon by the monster of conflict".

"Our party was back-stabbed by many political shenanigans and turncoats, but history bears testimony to how they eventually faded on their own. The NC is a people's party, we owe our being to people and we are a grassroot-level party," he added.

Abdullah said the state's special status was "infringed upon by the machinations of national political parties, including the Congress and the BJP, and their attitude has not changed".

"The current situation is no different. People should remain watchful of crafty politicians who are products of these machinations. Self-respect and dignity of our state should not be bartered for a few pennies," he added.

National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah Wednesday urged India and Pakistan to start a sustained dialogue process and advocated an Ireland-type settlement model to resolve the Kashmir issue.

National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah Wednesday urged India and Pakistan to start a sustained dialogue process and advocated an Ireland-type settlement model to resolve the Kashmir issue. "Abdullah impressed on the governments of India and Pakistan to start a sustained dialogue process and advocated an Ireland-type settlement model to resolve the procrastinated Jammu and Kashmir issue," an NC spokesman said. He added that the NC chief said this while addressing a public gathering at Uri in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. Abdullah urged the Centre to restore autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest. "Autonomy is the only way ahead to address the political and developmental deficit of all the regions of Jammu and Kashmir. It will secure the secular character of our state and strengthen the bonds of amity and brotherhood," he said. The Member of Parliament from Srinagar also said a day would come when the people of the state would breathe in a peaceful atmosphere, without any insecurity. "We should not feel disheartened. The current situation is grave, but we have witnessed even worst throughout the history. At one time in our history, people would not buy the idea that the autocratic rule will end. But a day came when democratic forces usurped the kings's throne with determination and struggle," he added. Abdullah asked the people to keep the faith and follow the path shown by the prophet of Islam. "In this hour of grief and uncertainty, we should not let anxiety and hopelessness overpower us. We should follow the teaching of the prophet of Islam in our day-to-day lives. Hopelessness is a curse," he said. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said the NC had to face many challenges since its inception and that scores of party functionaries were "preyed upon by the monster of conflict". "Our party was back-stabbed by many political shenanigans and turncoats, but history bears testimony to how they eventually faded on their own. The NC is a people's party, we owe our being to people and we are a grassroot-level party," he added. Abdullah said the state's special status was "infringed upon by the machinations of national political parties, including the Congress and the BJP, and their attitude has not changed". "The current situation is no different. People should remain watchful of crafty politicians who are products of these machinations. Self-respect and dignity of our state should not be bartered for a few pennies," he added.

Farooq Abdullah urges India, Pak to start sustained dialogue to resolve Kashmir issue

Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir Friday condemned the killing of two National Conference (NC) workers in a militant attack here, saying targeting political workers who "champion the cause of the masses" was "downright appalling".

Two NC workers were killed and an office bearer was injured after terrorists fired at them in the Karfali area of the city Friday. The deceased were identified as Mushtaq Ahmed Wani and Nazir Ahmed Bhat. The injured, Shakeel Ahmad, was a Halqa president of the National Conference.

"Attack on political workers who champion the cause of common masses is downright appalling &amp; symptomatic of alien elements misrepresenting the ethos of Kashmir. We strongly condemn the brutal murder of @JKNC_ workers. Our hearts go out to their bereaved families," the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said on its official Twitter handle.

PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the killing.

"Pained to hear about the killing of two NC workers. My heart goes out to their families &amp; children. Cannot possibly imagine what they must be going through," she tweeted.

The NC termed the killing of two of its workers "barbaric".

"Party President Dr. Farooq Abdulah, Vice President Mr. Omar Abdullah expressed profound grief over the barbaric killing of two party workers Nazir Ah Bhat and Mushtaq Ah Wani," the party said on Twitter.

Meanwhile, in separate tweets, Omar said, "I cannot condemn strongly enough the murderous terrorist attack against three of my party workers. Nazir Ahmed Bhat (working in the office of MLA Shamima Firdous) &amp; Mushtaq Ahmed Wani have been killed. Allah Jannat naseeb karey (May God grant them heaven)."

"Shakeel Ahmad Zangoo has been injured &amp; is in hospital. I pray for his complete &amp; speedy recovery. May the families of Nazir, Mushtaq &amp; Shakeel find strength in this most difficult time," he added in another tweet.&nbsp;

The killings come just three days ahead of polling for the first phase of elections to urban local bodies in the state.

The National Conference and the PDP have boycotted the polls on the grounds that the state's special status under Article 35A of the Constitution is under threat due to the legal challenge to the provision in the Supreme Court.

Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir Friday condemned the killing of two National Conference (NC) workers in a militant attack here, saying targeting political workers who "champion the cause of the masses" was "downright appalling".

Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir Friday condemned the killing of two National Conference (NC) workers in a militant attack here, saying targeting political workers who "champion the cause of the masses" was "downright appalling". Two NC workers were killed and an office bearer was injured after terrorists fired at them in the Karfali area of the city Friday. The deceased were identified as Mushtaq Ahmed Wani and Nazir Ahmed Bhat. The injured, Shakeel Ahmad, was a Halqa president of the National Conference. "Attack on political workers who champion the cause of common masses is downright appalling & symptomatic of alien elements misrepresenting the ethos of Kashmir. We strongly condemn the brutal murder of @JKNC_ workers. Our hearts go out to their bereaved families," the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said on its official Twitter handle. PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the killing. "Pained to hear about the killing of two NC workers. My heart goes out to their families & children. Cannot possibly imagine what they must be going through," she tweeted. The NC termed the killing of two of its workers "barbaric". "Party President Dr. Farooq Abdulah, Vice President Mr. Omar Abdullah expressed profound grief over the barbaric killing of two party workers Nazir Ah Bhat and Mushtaq Ah Wani," the party said on Twitter. Meanwhile, in separate tweets, Omar said, "I cannot condemn strongly enough the murderous terrorist attack against three of my party workers. Nazir Ahmed Bhat (working in the office of MLA Shamima Firdous) & Mushtaq Ahmed Wani have been killed. Allah Jannat naseeb karey (May God grant them heaven)." "Shakeel Ahmad Zangoo has been injured & is in hospital. I pray for his complete & speedy recovery. May the families of Nazir, Mushtaq & Shakeel find strength in this most difficult time," he added in another tweet. The killings come just three days ahead of polling for the first phase of elections to urban local bodies in the state. The National Conference and the PDP have boycotted the polls on the grounds that the state's special status under Article 35A of the Constitution is under threat due to the legal challenge to the provision in the Supreme Court.

J-K political parties condemn killing of NC workers by terrorists

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah Friday said he had a "great session" at University of California in the US and termed an attempt to heckle him "tamasha"&nbspby just four people.

He was referring to a video in which some Kashmiri-Americans are shown confronting him as he was leaving the venue after making his speech.

The protesters accused Omar Abdullah of playing "dirty politics"&nbspand threatened to take him to the International Criminal Court.&nbsp

The working president of opposition National Conference was invited by the university to speak on The path forward in Kashmir.

I had a great session at @UCBerkeley & don't let anyone tell you otherwise. FOUR hecklers (in an audience of 150+) who waited till the event concluded to make YouTube videos of themselves cant take away from an excellent Q&A session there, he wrote on Twitter.

The National Conference leader said he was looking forward to the organisers uploading the video of the entire session. Im, looking forward to the organisers putting the video of the entire session online so that the people who've seen the short tamasha can see how much substantial stuff happened before that, he said.

The NC leader said heckling by four persons was not a big deal. And lastly I've (I have) never claimed to be universally loved or even liked so if 4 (four) people in such a large audience make their dislike known its really not such a big deal at all. At least no one threw eggs or a shaving foam pie at me, he said.&nbsp

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah Friday said he had a 'great session' at University of California in the US and termed an attempt to heckle him 'tamasha' by just four people

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah Friday said he had a "great session" at University of California in the US and termed an attempt to heckle him "tamasha"&nbspby just four people. He was referring to a video in which some Kashmiri-Americans are shown confronting him as he was leaving the venue after making his speech. The protesters accused Omar Abdullah of playing "dirty politics"&nbspand threatened to take him to the International Criminal Court. The working president of opposition National Conference was invited by the university to speak on The path forward in Kashmir. I had a great session at @UCBerkeley & don't let anyone tell you otherwise. FOUR hecklers (in an audience of 150+) who waited till the event concluded to make YouTube videos of themselves cant take away from an excellent Q&A session there, he wrote on Twitter. The National Conference leader said he was looking forward to the organisers uploading the video of the entire session. Im, looking forward to the organisers putting the video of the entire session online so that the people who've seen the short tamasha can see how much substantial stuff happened before that, he said. The NC leader said heckling by four persons was not a big deal. And lastly I've (I have) never claimed to be universally loved or even liked so if 4 (four) people in such a large audience make their dislike known its really not such a big deal at all. At least no one threw eggs or a shaving foam pie at me, he said.

Heckling in US just tamasha, says Omar

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