Barely a fortnight after its debacle in the Budgam Assembly bypoll, the National Conference’s (NC) working committee that met on November 28-29, has brought back into focus the special status granted to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The rethink was triggered by the NC’s defeat from a seat which was won by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in last year’s Assembly elections and had been held by the party since 1977.
“The working committee unanimously reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. The committee reiterated that this issue is central to the aspirations and dignity of the people and must be addressed without further delay. The party will continue its principled fight for its full restoration,” read the NC resolution.
While the party in last year’s Assembly poll manifesto promised the restoration of Kashmiris’ “political and legal rights” and work towards the restoration of autonomy for the erstwhile state, since coming to power its focus was solely on the restoration of statehood and the Special Status issue seemingly took a backseat.
The seeming toning down of the NC government’s political rhetoric and what was perceived as an about-turn on a key poll promise not just provided its opponents with ammunition but also exposed fissures within the party, with its Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi often at odds with the party over its “failed” promises.
The NC’s stand also led to growing murmurs that the government had “failed” to deliver on its promise to struggle for political rights, even as the Valley simmers with discontent over the administration’s “failure” to stand up to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and its “surrender” of limited powers to him.
With pressure mounting, feedback on the growing disenchantment among people and the limitations of MLAs in a dual power structure – especially with a Raj Bhawan that still wields major influence – the NC has been forced to course-correct.
“The working committee urged the Government of India to immediately restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, as promised on the Floor of Parliament, repeatedly affirmed in the public domain, and noted by the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court,” reads another resolution. “The Working Committee reiterated the party’s unwavering commitment to fulfilling all promises made in its manifesto”.
The working committee, which is the highest decision-making body of the party, also refrained from taking any action against Ruhullah, as was expected after the growing differences and out-in-open fights between him and Abdullah. Even though Ruhullah’s growing clout, based on his diametrically opposite stand to the party, is a concern for the NC, the party decided not to act against him, concerned that it would further dwindle the party’s popularity at this crucial juncture.
“He (Ruhullah) is a senior party leader and he differs with Omar Sahib’s strategy, these things are always resolved amicably. Things have not yet reached a point of no return. There is a growing sense within the party that the issue needs to be resolved through dialogue and any action could only complicate things further, especially at a time when the government is fighting on many fronts – the Opposition, the Centre and the Lieutenant Governor,” a senior NC leader said.
Ruhullah, whose influence prior to 2024 was limited to Budgam, has grown in power and influence, transcending geographical boundaries. This was showcased by his absence from the party’s election campaign for the Budgam bypoll, which is seen as a key factor in the NC candidate losing the seat.
The battle for Budgam was of the Agas where the PDP’s Aga Muntazir Mehdi defeated the NC’s Aga Syed Mahmood of the NC, by 4,478 votes.
The BJP also fielded an Aga — Aga Syed Mohsin — though not from the same family as the other two candidates, and he finished in sixth position. Mehdi has previously represented the Budgam constituency and also holds sway over the constituency’s significant Shia population.
