'Don't Exploit Our Patience': Omar Abdullah Presses Centre for Clear Timeline on J&K Statehood

The National Conference (NC) on Saturday held its first major workers' convention since returning to power in Jammu and Kashmir , using the gathering to intensify its demand for the restoration of statehood ahead of the party's proposed July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

Held at the mausoleum of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Begum Akbar Jehan in Hazratbal on the latter's 26th death anniversary , the convention drew hundreds of party workers, ministers, MPs and MLAs from across the Kashmir Valley.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urged the Centre not to mistake the people's patience for weakness and demanded clarity on when Jammu and Kashmir's statehood would be restored instead of repeated references to an " appropriate time ." He alleged that despite an elected government being in office, governance continued to be controlled through the Lieutenant Governor's office , limiting the administration's functioning.

Calling on all political parties in the Union Territory to unite, Omar invited them to join the NC's statehood protest at Jantar Mantar , saying the issue transcends political differences.

NC president Farooq Abdullah recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2021 all-party meeting , saying the promised effort to bridge the trust deficit between Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir had yet to materialise. He claimed the Centre had assured the restoration of statehood but had failed to fulfil that promise.

Farooq also alleged attempts to weaken the NC through political inducements and urged party workers to remain united and respond democratically. He stressed that the party was seeking only its constitutional rights and warned that lasting peace depended on restoring the people's dignity and democratic rights.