Srinagar: Peoples Conference (PC) president Sajad Gani Lone on Friday said Jammu and Kashmir’s political struggle should focus on restoring the pre-August 5, 2019 constitutional position rather than statehood alone, alleging that the National Conference (NC) was attempting to “bury” Articles 370 and 35A by restricting its campaign to statehood.
Addressing a press conference, Lone,, said Article 370, Article 35A and statehood formed the constitutional framework that existed before August 5, 2019, with Article 370 being the most significant.
“We seek restoration of the pre-2019 position for Jammu and Kashmir, not merely statehood. The issue is political empowerment, not just restoration of statehood,” he said.
Questioning the NC’s proposed July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar, Lone alleged the party was shifting the political narrative away from Articles 370 and 35A.
“The issue on which the NC sought votes was restoration of Articles 370 and 35A. Today, only statehood is being projected. I believe this is an attempt to bury those demands,” he alleged.
Lone said if the government was serious about restoring statehood, it should first convene a special session of the Legislative Assembly, pass a resolution and send an all-party delegation to meet the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Leader of Opposition before taking the issue to the streets.
“The Assembly still represents the aspirations of the people. Constitutional avenues must be exhausted first,” he
Lone further questioned the timing of the proposed protest, saying the Chief Minister had recently met the Prime Minister and several Union ministers.
“If those meetings yielded no assurance on statehood, the people should be told what response was received,” he said.
Reiterating his party’s stand, Lone said the People’s Conference supports restoration of statehood but only as part of restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s pre-2019 constitutional position, including Articles 370 and 35A.—(KNO)