Srinagar, Jun 05 (KNO): National Conference (NC) Chief Spokesperson and MLA Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq on Friday questioned the intent behind Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti’s recent letter to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, alleging that the move was politically motivated.
Speaking with reporters here, Sadiq, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), defended the NC's outreach to New Delhi over restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, saying the party was only reminding the Centre of commitments made to the people of J&K.
“When we do something, we clearly say why we are doing it, and when we don’t do something, we also explain why. We went to Delhi on the very first day to remind the Prime Minister, Home Minister and the Supreme Court about the promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir regarding statehood,” he said.
Sadiq termed the NC’s initiative a “joint programme of the people” and said elected representatives had every right to raise public concerns before the Centre.
He welcomed support from Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, saying it reflected the aspirations of the people who want their elected representatives to engage with New Delhi on J&K’s political issues.
Targeting opposition parties, the NC Chief Spokesperson accused them of trying to politicise every move made by the government.
“Unfortunately, some opposition parties only want headlines and brownie points. Every positive step is turned into negative politics because they feel politics is slipping out of their hands,” he said.
Referring to Mehbooba Mufti’s letter to CM Abdullah, the NC MLA said the matter should not have been taken to social media if the intention was genuine dialogue.
“If you speak to the Chief Minister and he says he will meet you on Monday, then what was the need to put the letter on social media? That itself shows what kind of politics is being played,” he said.
On Congress's reactions to the NC’s statehood campaign, Sadiq said there was no contradiction between the alliance partners and claimed the outreach had been carried out after discussions with Congress leadership. “This has happened after consultations with Congress leadership. There is no contradiction between Congress and the National Conference,” he said.
Reacting to criticism that the NC’s Delhi outreach was aimed at sidelining the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), he said some of the parties raising objections had themselves walked away from the alliance earlier. “This is not about politics or which party gets credit. It is about translating the emotions and mandate of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
MLA Sadiq said the NC leadership wanted elected representatives to lead the dialogue process with the Centre and maintained that the demand for restoration of statehood remained the party’s primary focus.
Asked about upcoming Panchayat and Urban Local Body elections, he said the government was currently focused on reviewing electoral rolls and other administrative matters, adding that decisions would be taken at the appropriate time.
On allegations by BJP leaders seeking Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary’s resignation over alleged mining irregularities, the NC Chief Spokesperson dismissed the accusations as politically motivated.
“There is no corruption involved in this government. If there is anything, let it come before the people. These are political statements by the BJP,” he said.
Sadiq also revealed that NC legislators recently held a seven-hour meeting where issues ranging from reservation, governance, regularisation and drugs to other public concerns were discussed in detail.
“There is no issue left undiscussed. This was not the first meeting, and it will not be the last. Our MLAs will continue to sit together and deliberate on public issues,” he added—(KNO)