NC to Take Statehood Battle to Jantar Mantar as Dy CM Choudhary Issues Ultimatum to Centre

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary has warned of a national-level agitation in New Delhi if the Union government fails to honour its commitment regarding the restoration of full statehood.

The political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir is bracing for a potential confrontation with the central government. Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary stated that the ruling National Conference (NC) is prepared to launch a formal protest at Jantar Mantar if the promised restoration of statehood continues to face delays. This move, he noted, is part of a strategic roadmap formulated by party president Farooq Abdullah to amplify the region's grievances on a national platform.

A Growing Demand for Autonomy

The demand for full statehood has been a recurring theme in recent political discourse. During a significant party meeting held at Dachigam in Srinagar, the National Conference formally adopted a resolution identifying the restoration of statehood as its foremost political agenda. Leaders and MPs across the political spectrum have increasingly characterized this not as a request for grace, but as a democratic imperative essential for the region's governance and stability.

Development and Economic Concerns

According to Choudhary, the delay in upgrading the Union Territory back to a full-fledged state has had tangible, negative consequences for the local populace. He argued that the current administrative structure has stifled economic progress, leaving issues such as high unemployment and the delivery of basic services—specifically water and electricity—largely unaddressed. The Deputy Chief Minister emphasized that the region is not receiving funding at the level required for a full state, further hampering development projects across Jammu and Kashmir.

Call for a Unified Front

The National Conference intends to broaden the scope of its agitation by seeking support from opposition parties nationwide. In a pointed challenge to the local unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Choudhary invited them to join the proposed demonstration. He remarked that if the BJP truly stands with the people of the region, they should support the protest; failure to do so, he suggested, would leave the public to draw their own conclusions regarding the party’s priorities.

The Road Ahead

While the Centre had previously indicated that statehood would be restored following the conclusion of Assembly elections, the passage of nearly two years without action has pushed the NC to escalate its strategy. The proposed protest at Jantar Mantar serves as a signal that the party intends to keep the issue at the forefront of national attention. As the situation develops, observers are watching closely to see how New Delhi responds to this intensifying pressure from the regional leadership.

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