Srinagar, July 19(KNS): Former Minister and ex-MLA Bandipora, Usman Majid, launched a scathing attack on the ruling National Conference (NC), alleging that the party has "accepted the abrogation of Article 370" and is now "sitting in the BJP's lap."

 

Speaking to reporters, Majid termed the National Conference's proposed protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood as a "political drama" aimed at reviving the party's declining popularity rather than addressing the aspirations of the people.

 

He said the NC had secured a massive electoral mandate by promising to fight for the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, but had now shifted its focus solely to statehood. According to Majid, statehood had already been assured by the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister on the floor of Parliament, making the proposed protest politically motivated.

 

"I have been saying for the last eight months that the National Conference is sitting in the BJP's lap. They have accepted the abrogation of Article 370 and abandoned the very issue on which they sought votes," Majid said.

 

He asserted that people voted for the restoration of the special constitutional provisions, not merely for statehood, and questioned why the NC had failed to fulfil its key election promise.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

 

Accusing the party of misleading the people, Majid said the NC believed the public would forget its commitments, but maintained that "people will not forget." He further alleged that the party had a long history of political betrayals and had repeatedly used public sentiment for electoral gains.

 

The former minister also claimed that the NC blamed the Centre whenever developments were unfavourable while taking credit for positive decisions, alleging that the party lacked a clear political agenda.

 

Describing the planned Jantar Mantar protest as an attempt to regain lost political relevance, Majid said demonstrations alone would not secure the restoration of statehood.

 

"This protest is nothing but a drama. The National Conference knows its political graph has declined and believes such programmes will restore its popularity. I don't think that will happen," he said.

 

Majid also criticised both the National Conference and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), alleging that the two regional parties had historically maintained close ties with the Centre while misleading the people of Jammu and Kashmir. (KNS)