Row over UT foundation day in J&K: NC-Congress-CPM alliance, PDP to boycott event | India News – Times of India

SRINAGAR: The governing alliance of National Conference (NC), Congress and CPM along with opposition PDP announced Wednesday their decision to boycott the Union territory’s (UT) foundation day celebrations Thursday, reiterating their demand for the restoration of statehood to J&K.
PDP MLA Waheed Parra questioned the rationale behind the administration’s decision to observe the UT’s foundation day, especially when top BJP functionaries have described J&K’s current status as temporary. “Similar events were held at the district level over the past five years but the lieutenant governor’s office is deliberately planning a major function this time,” he said.
During campaigning for the recent assembly elections in J&K, PM Modi promised the restoration of statehood, saying the UT status is temporary. CM Omar Abdullah said as much Monday — that the current phase of J&K’s status is provisional.
On Oct 24, Omar presented a resolution for statehood restoration to PM Modi and handed a copy to Union home minister Amit Shah. “I met several BJP top functionaries and got assurance from the highest level on the change in the governance model of J&K,” Omar said, adding that his recent meetings in Delhi had been “very successful”.
The administration led by LG Manoj Sinha plans to mark J&K’s transition to UT status in 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370 that guaranteed special status to the former state. However, the absence of key parties from the event in Srinagar underscores the ongoing political tensions over the constitutional changes made five years ago.
NC’s chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq condemned the observance, calling it “unfair” and a celebration of the “unconstitutional” revocation of the region’s status. NC had campaigned for statehood restoration as a key promise in the assembly elections. “Our manifesto is committed to restoring J&K’s unique legacy,” Sadiq said.
CPM’s Kulgam MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami criticised the transition to UT status, saying “assaulting constitutional rights of the citizens shouldn’t be celebrated”. Congress MLA and party’s J&K president Tariq Hamid Karra said: “We have decided not to participate…because we have never recognised J&K as UT.”
While opinions on J&K’s status remain divided, both residents of Jammu and Kashmir appear united in their demand for statehood. Jammu residents argued that the downgrade from state to UT has deprived local authorities of essential powers. Kashmiris said the change has brought both political and economic setbacks, with increased control from New Delhi through the LG’s office.