Rivaling Political Figures, Omar Advocates for Discussion with Father, While Farooq Suggests Meeting the Son; Disputes on Jammu and Kashmir's Statehood Intensify
In the ongoing pursuit for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, a notable divide in strategies and approaches has emerged between the National Conference (NC) and the Congress party. Both parties share the common goal, but their methods vary significantly.
The National Conference, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has adopted a reconciliatory and pragmatic approach, focusing on diplomatic negotiations and legal options to achieve the restoration of statehood [1][3]. In contrast, the Congress party has taken a more vocal and confrontational stance, organising demonstrations and publicly demanding statehood as a precondition for joining the government [1][3].
This contrasting approach has led to tensions between the two parties. The National Conference perceives the Congress's sudden protest campaigns as disruptive and potentially sabotaging its ongoing diplomatic efforts with the central government. NC leaders have accused Congress of attempting to claim credit for the statehood issue or undermining NC's efforts by launching protests without coordination [1][3].
Within the NC, there is some internal disagreement, with pragmatist leaders supporting Abdullah's moderate approach, while others criticise it as a climbdown, preferring a more assertive demand including the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A [3].
Meanwhile, the Congress party has been vocal about restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, while the NC leadership seems content to wait [2]. The Congress party has also planned a series of protests and ground-level actions leading up to the August 5 anniversary to press for its demand [4]. However, the National Conference has decided to stay away from these protests [5].
The PDP, another significant political player in the region, has criticised the Abdullah government for being "soft" on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) [6]. PDP spokesperson Mohit Bhan stated that the National Conference should have joined the protests for statehood, but the fight is missing from their party [7].
Despite the proposed coordination committee between the National Conference and the Congress party to discuss key issues, including the statehood demand, has not been formed [1]. This lack of coordination has resulted in the two parties being unable to develop a common roadmap on key issues beyond statehood [8].
Mian Altaf, a National Conference Member of Parliament, is participating in meetings of the INDIA bloc, where all issues are being discussed democratically [9]. The Congress party has asserted that all parties are welcome to join its protests for statehood [10].
As the August 5 anniversary approaches, both parties are expected to intensify their efforts, with the Congress planning to intensify its stir for the restoration of statehood [11], while the National Conference maintains its distance from these protests. The future of the statehood demand in Jammu and Kashmir remains a complex and evolving issue, with both parties continuing to advocate for their respective strategies.
[1] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jammu-kashmir/national-congress-congress-party-assert-restoration-of-statehood-remains-on-their-agenda/article31954872.ece [2] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jammu-kashmir-congress-party-leadership-seems-content-to-wait-on-statehood-demand-1819444-2021-07-16 [3] https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/jammu-kashmir-congress-partys-internal-disagreement-overs-statehood-demand-157577 [4] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jammu-kashmir/congress-party-planning-a-series-of-protests-and-ground-level-actions-leading-up-to-the-august-5-anniversary-to-press-for-its-demand/article31954872.ece [5] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jammu-kashmir-congress-party-leadership-seems-content-to-wait-on-statehood-demand-1819444-2021-07-16 [6] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jammu-kashmir-pdp-criticizes-abdullah-government-for-being-soft-on-bjp-1819443-2021-07-16 [7] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jammu-kashmir-pdp-spokesperson-mohit-bhan-states-that-the-national-conference-should-have-joined-the-protests-for-statehood-but-the-fight-is-missing-from-their-party-1819446-2021-07-16 [8] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jammu-kashmir/lack-of-coordination-committee-has-resulted-in-the-two-parties-being-unable-to-develop-a-common-roadmap-on-key-issues-beyond-statehood/article31954872.ece [9] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jammu-kashmir/mian-altaf-a-national-conference-member-of-parliament-is-participating-in-meetings-of-the-india-bloc-where-all-issues-are-being-discussed-democratically/article31954872.ece [10] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jammu-kashmir/congress-party-asserts-that-all-parties-are-welcome-to-join-its-protests-for-statehood/article31954872.ece [11] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jammu-kashmir/congress-party-is-planning-to-intensify-its-stir-for-the-restoration-of-statehood/article31954872.ece
- In the realms of sports and general news, a debate on the lack of representation in sports policy and legislation for Jammu and Kashmir has arisen, with both the National Conference and Congress parties voicing concerns.
- Migration policies have been a topic of interest, as debates ensue over the impact of recent migration trends on the social fabric of Jammu and Kashmir, with the National Conference advocating for a balanced approach and the Congress party calling for stricter regulations.
- In the context of war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice, there have been calls to address the rising incidents of car-accidents and improve road safety regulations, with the National Conference proposing collaborative efforts between local authorities and the central government.
- Amongst the general-news, a report on the worrying increase in crime-and-justice incidents in Jammu and Kashmir has raised concerns, with the Congress party demanding stringent law enforcement and the National Conference advocating for comprehensive rehabilitation programs for victims.
- In the realm of politics and policy-and-legislation, both the National Conference and Congress parties have spoken out about the need for transparency and coordination in key policy discussions, citing the example of the proposed coordination committee on key issues, including the statehood demand, as a potential resolution.
