SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah left for New Delhi on Monday to join the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference’s protest demanding the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory.
According to a party, the protest is being held under the leadership of National Conference president Farooq Abdullah. Party leaders, MLAs and legislators were scheduled to assemble at 5, Prithviraj Road at 10 a.m. before proceeding together for the demonstration.
Omar Abdullah had reached Delhi with his father on Saturday but cut short his visit and returned to Jammu on Sunday to chair a high-level meeting following the devastating flash floods in the Poonch-Rajouri region and amid forecasts of moderate to heavy rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir until July 23.
The National Conference had originally planned to hold its statehood protest at Jantar Mantar to coincide with the opening of Parliament’s Monsoon Session. However, the venue was shifted to 5, Prithviraj Road and the Constitution Club’s Malvankar Hall after Delhi Police did not grant permission for the demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
