Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather and senior political leader and former Member of Parliament Abdul Rashid Shaheen on Thursday called on Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow and held detailed discussions on the prevailing political and administrative situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
During the meeting, the J&K leaders expressed concern that administrative authority in the Union Territory has become concentrated within the bureaucracy, while the role of elected representatives has been significantly reduced. They also alleged an increase in corruption and said that key sectors such as tourism, handicrafts, and the fruit industry have suffered, adversely affecting the livelihoods of local residents.
Rather and Shaheen said that Akhilesh Yadav enjoys widespread public trust and influence across the country, adding that the direction of political change in India would emerge from Uttar Pradesh. They noted that people across the country, including Jammu and Kashmir, are looking towards him with hope.
Former MP Abdul Rashid Shaheen invited Akhilesh Yadav to visit Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the people of the region want him to play a larger role in national politics. Akhilesh Yadav assured him that he would finalise dates for a visit to Jammu and Kashmir during the upcoming Central Budget Session.
Both leaders said that all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, except the BJP, are united in their demand for the restoration of full statehood. They stressed that there is strong public and political consensus in favour of immediate restoration and urged the Centre to act without further delay.
It may be noted that Abdul Rashid Shaheen is not currently affiliated with the National Conference, but is regarded as a senior leader from Jammu and Kashmir, a former Member of Parliament, and a national-level policymaker.
Speaking on the occasion, Akhilesh Yadav said that the BJP has failed to fulfil its promises to the youth, farmers, and traders of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the people of Kashmir believe in brotherhood and harmony, and praised the skill of the region’s artisans. Yadav further assured that if the Samajwadi Party comes to power in Uttar Pradesh, Kashmiri products would be given market access in the state to promote trade and support local livelihoods.
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