National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Thursday reiterated his party's demand for restoration of statehood and greater powers for the elected government, saying those who wished to support the cause at the proposed Jantar Mantar protest were free to join on their own without a formal invitation from the NC.
Addressing reporters, Abdullah criticised the existing administrative arrangement in J&K, arguing that excessive powers remain vested with the Lieutenant Governor while the elected government operates under significant constraints. "The Lieutenant Governor is not an elected representative but a nominee of the Government of India," he said, adding that authority should rest with elected representatives rather than unelected institutions.
The NC president also blamed the Centre's policies for what he termed continuing political instability in J&K and said the circumstances under which the erstwhile state acceded to India should be revisited and commitments made at that time reviewed.
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