SRINAGAR, August 17, 2026 : The National Conference (NC) on Monday dismissed the BJP’s protest in Jammu over unemployment and development issues as “drama”, challenging the party to first fulfil its commitment to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir before judging the performance of the elected government.
NC chief spokesperson and MLA Tanvir Sadiq said the BJP had every democratic right to hold protests but argued that it should first deliver on what he described as its “long-pending” commitment to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
“Give us statehood and then see the results,” Sadiq told reporters in Srinagar.
NC Questions BJP’s Statehood Commitment
Sadiq asked the BJP to explain to the people of Jammu and Kashmir why commitments made following the abrogation of Article 370 had not, in his view, been fully implemented.
He claimed that the BJP had indicated that statehood would be restored after the completion of the delimitation exercise and Assembly elections, but alleged that the commitment remained unfulfilled.
The NC leader also criticised the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory, arguing that the region’s earlier performance across several sectors had been stronger.
‘Allow Elected Government to Function’
Sadiq alleged that several important matters concerning the functioning of the elected administration remained pending with the Centre.
“Our files are still pending. We still do not have an Advocate General. The reservation file is still with the Ministry of Home Affairs. Why are they not returning these matters? Why are they not allowing an elected government to function?” he asked.
He accused the BJP of creating unnecessary obstacles for the elected administration and said people in Jammu and Kashmir were aware of the circumstances that had contributed to the region’s present political situation.
NC Attacks BJP-PDP Record
Taking aim at both the BJP and the PDP, Sadiq alleged that their political decisions had caused significant damage to Jammu and Kashmir.
“People of Jammu and Kashmir know the reality,” he said, while describing the impact of the BJP and PDP’s political role in the region as unprecedented.
Political Clash Intensifies
The remarks come amid a continuing political confrontation in Jammu and Kashmir over statehood, unemployment, development and the functioning of the elected government.
While the BJP has raised questions over governance and development, the National Conference has countered by making restoration of statehood a central issue and arguing that the elected administration should be given greater institutional space to govern.
The exchange signals another sharp political contest over the future administrative and constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir,
