National Conference leaders are intensifying demands for the restoration of full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir ahead of planned protests in Delhi [1].
The push comes as regional parties seek to regain the autonomy lost in summer 2019 [2], when the Indian government abrogated Articles 370 and 35-A to create a Union Territory [2]. This movement represents a significant political challenge to the current administrative structure and a call for a return to local governance.
Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference have led a political show of strength in the region [1, 3]. The party has specifically opposed proposals for a separate state for the Jammu region, instead advocating for the reunification of Ladakh [1].
This strategy aims to present a unified front against the central government. The National Conference argues that the current status quo is a deliberate attempt to weaken the region's political identity [1].
Omar Abdullah said, "The BJP's aim is to dismantle and destroy J&K" [1].
The demand for statehood has grown through a new political alliance that cites an increasing public desire for the change [2]. While some reports suggest that statehood alone may not be sufficient to stabilize the region [4], the alliance continues to prioritize its restoration as the primary goal.
Regional apprehension regarding the stability of the area was noted as early as Aug. 5, 2026 [4]. However, the National Conference maintained its specific opposition to partitioning the region in a statement on Jan. 6, 2026 [1].
The planned demonstrations in Delhi are intended to bring these regional grievances to the national stage, emphasizing the desire for a return to the pre-2019 political arrangement [3].
“"The BJP's aim is to dismantle and destroy J&K."”
The intensification of these demands signals a deepening divide between regional political leadership and the central government. By opposing a separate state for Jammu and pushing for the inclusion of Ladakh, the National Conference is attempting to prevent the fragmentation of the region's political power. This strategy suggests that for regional leaders, the restoration of statehood is not just about administrative status, but about reclaiming a unified political identity to negotiate more effectively with New Delhi.
