SRINAGAR: Former Member of the Legislative Council Javaid Mirchal joined National Conference on Sunday in the presence of JKNC vice president Omar Abdullah, ahead of the assembly polls starting on September 18.
JKNC President Dr Farooq Abdullah and VP @OmarAbdullah warmly welcomed former MLC from Karnal, Javid Mirchal and hundreds of his associates into the Party fold at their residence in Gupkar.
Party General Secretary Haji @AliMSagar_ , Provincial President @nasirsogami , Advisor… pic.twitter.com/73cbiVKpIw
— JKNC (@JKNC_) August 18, 2024
The National Conference posted on X: “JKNC President Farooq Abdullah and VP Omar Abdullah warmly welcomed former MLC from Karnal, Javaid Mirchal, and hundreds of his associates into the party fold at their residence in Gupkar.”
Mirchal is from Karnah. A former member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mirchal resigned from the party in January 2020. His resignation came in the wake of the PDP’s decision to expel eight of its leaders, who had met with the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir to discuss urgent public demands. Then, Mirchal voiced his discontent with the way his colleagues were expelled, especially Raja Manzoor Ahmad, former MLA of Karnah. In his resignation letter, he criticised the PDP leadership, stating that the party had failed to live up to the expectations of the people and had betrayed the public mandate.
At that time, Mirchal had pointed out that Jammu and Kashmir’s socio-political landscape required a leadership known not just for its integrity but for tangible performance on the ground—something he felt the PDP lacked following the abrogation of Article 370.
Today’s move to join the National Conference signals a significant shift in Mirchal’s political alignment.