Jammu, July 2: Jammu and Kashmir Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra on Thursday said the ruling National Conference (NC) has reached the same position that the Congress had taken a year ago by demanding the restoration of statehood, asserting that the issue—not cabinet expansion—remains the party’s priority.
Addressing reporters, Karra said the Congress had organised protests at Jantar Mantar in Srinagar, Jammu and Delhi over the demand for the restoration of statehood much before other parties joined the campaign.
“We had started this movement a year ago. Today, those who were hesitant or had their own compulsions have also reached the same point from where the Congress Party started,” he said.
Karra said the Congress views it as a positive development that more political parties are now raising the demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
Responding to a question on the possibility of the Congress joining the Omar Abdullah-led government’s cabinet if an expansion takes place, Karra said cabinet positions are not the party’s concern.
“Our issue is statehood. We had already made it clear that until statehood is restored, we will not be part of the cabinet,” he said.
The Congress, however, continues to support the National Conference-led government on the basis of principles, he added.
Karra said the party would stand with the government whenever it faces what he described as “an onslaught” from the BJP.
“We are outside the cabinet because of our principled stand, but we are supporting the government,” he said.(KNS)
