J&K People's Conference Refuses to Join National Conference Protest, Demands Special Status Restoration

Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference chief Sajad Gani Lone has categorically refused to join the National Conference (NC) protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20. The demonstration is being held to demand the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. However, Lone says that his party's main issue is not just statehood but the restoration of the pre-5 August 2019 constitutional status and special status. Sajad Gani Lone makes serious allegations against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the National Conference. He said, "We had received an invitation from the NC to join the protest at Jantar Mantar for the restoration of statehood, but no consensus was reached before sending the invitation. Our main stand is the restoration of the special status and the status before 5 August 2019." He then said, "I don't know for what the NC has been given a supari." Lone alleged that Omar Abdullah was given the task of restoring Article 370 and 35A of the Constitution.