National Conference

Congress apologised for Emergency but BJP silent on its own actions: NC MP

Opposition MPs on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attacking the Constitution, with National Conference (NC) MP Mian Altaf Ahmad saying while the Congress apologised for imposing Emergency, the ruling party has been silent on its own actions. Participating in a debate on 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution, Ahmad slammed the BJP for bifurcating the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories. "Congress has apologised for the Emergency but you are silent on various things you have done... Congress toppled elected governments, but you divided our state into two Union Territories, which was unnecessary," he said. Communist Party of India (Marxist Leninist) Liberation MP Raja Ram Singh named activists like Stan Swamy, who was jailed in the Bhima Koregaon case and died in the prison, Umar Khalid, Gulfisha and Meeran Haider, who have been arrested on the allegations of links with the 2020 Delhi riots. "What Constitution are we talking about?" he ...

Providing water, power to Rohingyas our duty till they are in J&K: Farooq

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said it is responsibility of the Jammu and Kashmir government to provide basic amenities like water and electricity to Rohingya refugees residing in the region. The Government of India brought the refugees here. We did not bring them. They have settled them here, and as long as they are here, it is our duty to provide them with water and electricity. This is our responsibility", Abdullah told reporters during a visit to Kathua. His remarks come a day after the BJP termed the settlement of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis in Jammu city a major "political conspiracy" and demanded a CBI probe to identify those involved in facilitating it. Hitting out at the National Conference (NC) government over remarks on granting water and power connections to them in Jammu, the BJP had also alleged it was done to protect them as they belong to a particular community. According to government data, more than 13,700 foreigners, most of them Rohingy

J-K CM Omar Abdullah reaffirms support for revival of industrial sector

Acknowledging the persistent challenges faced by the industrial sector in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday reaffirmed his government's commitment to supporting local industries in overcoming these difficulties. Abdullah also highlighted the positive impact of the now-defunct 'Darbar Move' on Jammu's vibrancy, assuring people that the government will resume the practice in the future. Darbar Move is the bi-annual practice of shifting the seat of power between Jammu and Srinagar during winters and summers, respectively. Speaking at an event organised by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) here, where he was felicitated for assuming office as chief minister, Abdullah underscored his administration's dedication to reviving the industrial sector. "There is no shortage of issues. If I were to claim that these problems have only emerged in the past decade, it would be misleading. These challenges are not new, nor are they solely the result of Jammu a

Those dreaming of J&K's independence unaware of ground realities: Farooq

Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir will remain an integral part of India, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said those nurturing illogical dreams of independence should shun it as they are unaware of the ground realities. The veteran politician said the fact that the Indian cricket team is not likely to visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy early next year shows the strained relations between the two countries. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a private function here, Abdullah also expressed grief over the death of children in a fire at a medical college in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi district and demanded a thorough investigation into the tragic incident. Asked about the Oxford University's debating society Oxford Union hosting an event titled "This house believes in the independent state of Kashmir" on Thursday, the former chief minister said there are people who want to do such things across the world. "It is not easy to be independent. On one side, th

Forget about Article 370, focus on development of Kashmir: J-K BJP to NC

Jammu and Kashmir BJP President Sat Sharma on Friday called on the National Conference to focus on the region's development and not persistently focus on the Article 370, which, he said, is a part of history. "The National Conference must shift its focus from the abrogation of Article 370 to more important issues of development and public welfare for Jammu and Kashmir and its people. They should forget Article 370," Sharma said addressing at party meeting in the evening. He also criticised the NC and other Kashmiri parties for using Article 370 as an "emotional tool" to mislead the people for political gains. Sharma said the controversial provision had, in fact, deprived several sections of society of their basic rights. "The clock cannot be turned back. Much water has flowed down the Jhelum, and no force on Earth can reverse it. Article 370 was abrogated constitutionally and legally. It's time for the NC to accept this reality," Sharma asserted. Since the abrogation, Sharma said,

Omar Abdullah criticises Indus Treaty, calls it unfair to the people of J&K

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah says hydropower potential of the region thwarted by the 1960 Indus Water Treaty. Peoples Conference's Sajad Lone slams Abdullah's remarks as 'right-wing rhetoric'

BJP holds protest against special status resolution passed by J&K Assembly

The BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit staged a protest here to denounce the resolution on the restoration of J-K's special status, which was passed by the assembly on Wednesday. The resolution has sought a dialogue between the Centre and elected representatives for the restoration of the special status of the erstwhile state. Led by party president Sat Paul Sharma, a group of BJP workers came out of the party headquarters at Trikuta Nagar in the outskirts of the city this afternoon and set ablaze a joint effigy of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his deputy Surinder Choudhary amid slogans against the National Conference-led government. J-K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary moved the resolution for restoring the erstwhile state's special status, which was revoked by the Centre on August 5, 2019. The resolution was passed without any debate as the Speaker put it to voice vote amidst noisy scenes by opposition BJP members. Article 370 has become part of history and the National ...

J&K parties hail resolution for restoring special status in Assembly

Political parties in the Kashmir valley on Wednesday welcomed the resolution passed in the assembly seeking a dialogue between the Centre and elected representatives for the restoration of special status of the erstwhile state. "This resolution is historic and I congratulate the members of the House," CPI(M)'s MLA from Kulgam, M Y Tarigami said. He said it has been "our commitment that we will restore what has taken from us on August 5, 2019". "Today, the House fulfilled its promise by passing the resolution and demanded that the Government of India take forward the process of restoration of Article 370 by starting the dialogue process immediately," he added. The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution asking the Centre to hold dialogue with elected representatives for restoration of special status of the erstwhile state. PDP's youth leader and MLA Pulwama, Waheed Para also welcomed the resolution. "It is a welcome move. We welcome it wholeheartedly. This has

Day 1 of J&K Assembly: Chaos reigns as PDP pushes to restore Article 370

Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah contended that the resolution was introduced merely for show and lacked genuine intent

Abdullah knows terror comes from Pak, what's there to investigate, asks BJP

Earlier today, the National Conference President Farooq Abdullah demanded inquiry amid continuous terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir

NC Chief Farooq Abdullah demands investigation in Budgam terror attack

On Friday, terrorists fired upon two non-locals in Mazhama, in the Magam area of Budgam district

Engineer Rashid questions J&K CM Abdullah about meetings with PM Modi, Shah

Lok Sabha MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid on Sunday asked Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah if restoration of Article 370 and the release of political prisoners were discussed during his meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Awami Ittehad Party chief Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, had defeated Abdullah in Baramulla in the Lok Sabha elections. "What did Omar Abdullah discuss with key national leaders, including the prime minister, defence minister, and the home minister?" Rashid told reporters. The chief minister should clarify whether issues such as the restoration of Article 370 and the release of political prisoners were part of those discussions, he said. "If these issues were discussed, what responses did he receive?" he asked. Abdullah called on Modi on Thursday and handed over to him a resolution seeking early restoration of statehood to the Union Territory, officials had said. He also met Defence Minister Rajnath Sin

No talks should be held with Pak till it stops terror attacks: Farooq

Former chief minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday lashed out at Pakistan for perpetrating terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, saying Islamabad will have to stop terror incidents here if it wants to have friendly relations with India. Abdullah said there can be no talks between New Delhi and Islamabad till the neighbouring country stops killings in Jammu and Kashmir. "I do not know what action India should take, that is the domain of the central government. It is a problem for us and we have been going through it for years now. I have been seeing it for 30 years now. I have told them many times to stop it but their thinking is like that only. "How can there be talks? You kill our innocent people and then you call for talks. First stop the killings," Abdullah said while commenting on the terror attack at a construction site in Ganderbal district on Sunday. The former chief minister said the attack was a painful incident as it led to killing of poor ..

J&K LG clears Omar-led cabinet's resolution for Centre to restore statehood

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has cleared a resolution passed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led cabinet urging the Centre to restore the statehood to the Union territory, officials said on Saturday. "The cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Omar Abdullah on Thursday passed a unanimous resolution for restoration of statehood in its original form," an official spokesperson said. Without giving any further details, the officials asserted that the LG has cleared the resolution passed by the cabinet. The spokesperson said the restoration of statehood will be a beginning of a healing process, reclaiming the constitutional rights and protecting the identity of people of Jammu and Kashmir. The cabinet has authorised the chief minister to take up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Government of India for restoration of statehood, he said. Protection of Jammu and Kashmir's unique identity and constitutional rights of people remains the cornerstone

Omar Abdullah-led J&K Cabinet passes resolution to restore statehood

The National Conference, having won 42 seats in the recent J&K Assembly elections, drafted the resolution, which Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will present to Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi

Supreme Court to hear plea for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood

The Supreme Court had previously ordered that Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir be conducted before considering the pending petitions

Jammu industrialists seek CM's intervention in revival of MSME sector

A body of industrialists on Thursday sought the intervention of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to ensure revival of the MSME (micro, small and medium enterprise) sector of the Union Territory. Jammu-based Federation of Industries (FOI) hailed the formation of the National Conference-led government in Jammu and Kashmir and congratulated Abdullah and his cabinet colleagues. FOI chairman Lalit Mahajan said the industrial fraternity of Jammu has a lot of expectations from the new government and hopes it will ensure revival and strengthening of the MSME sector. He said the existing MSMEs, mostly run by the sons of the soil, are suffering due to dilution of fiscal incentives and stiff competition from new units being established under the New Central Sector Scheme (NCSS). In his meeting with the chief minister, Mahajan highlighted long-pending issues related to the existing MSME units, and asked for fiscal incentives for the next 10 years. He also urged the government to

Cong rebel Satish Sharma who won Jammu as Independent now part of NC govt

Congress rebel Satish Sharma, who defeated the BJP's Rajeev Sharma by nearly 7,000 votes and relegated his former party's heavyweight Tara Chand to the third position in the Chhamb seat, has found a place in the Omar Abdullah government, representing the Jammu region in the dispensation. The Independent MLA becomes a key face of the current government in the BJP-dominated Jammu belt. Celebrations erupted in the Chhamb constituency after Sharma's inclusion in the National Conference government as he was the lone non-BJP member to have won in Jammu district, where the BJP took 10 seats. Sharma, who was administered the oath of office by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for ensuring Jammu's representation in the government. "I have been blessed by Mata Rani. I thank the people and Omar Abdullah ji for bridging the gap between the two regions and granting the Jammu region more than expected," Sharma said. He emphasised that this

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Mehbooba Mufti hopes Omar-led govt will heal 'wounds' of J&K people

It is a "very auspicious day" as people of Jammu and Kashmir have got their government after several years, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said on Wednesday on the swearing-in of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. "Today is a very auspicious day. People of Jammu and Kashmir have got their government after several years. People have elected a stable government. People of Jammu and Kashmir suffered a lot especially after 2019, and we hope that this new government will heal the wounds we got," she told reporters after attending Abdullah's oath ceremony. She, however, expressed hope that the government would pass a resolution condemning the Centre's August 5, 2019 decisions of abrogating Article 370, and bifurcating J-K into two union territories. "We hope that the government will pass a resolution condemning the decision of August 5, 2019, that the people of J-K do not accept those decisions," she added. The former chief minister of the erstwhile state of J-K also expressed hope that the ...