Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the party\u2019s proposed protest in New Delhi on July 20 demanding the restoration of statehood would go ahead as scheduled despite the demise of senior party leader and his uncle, Mustafa Kamal.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters after paying tributes to Kamal, Abdullah said the party would honour his uncle\u2019s wishes by continuing with the planned demonstration.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be no change in that. Neither would Mustafa Kamal have wanted any change,\u201d Abdullah said.<\/p>\n
He said Kamal\u2019s health had deteriorated on July 11 and doctors had expressed serious concern over his condition. Despite this, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah had directed the party to continue with its political programme.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven when we knew about his critical condition, the party president said that whatever happened to Mustafa Sahib, we had to continue with our protest. Therefore, there is no question of cancelling the July 20 protest,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
On whether the party had received permission from the Delhi authorities to hold the protest at Jantar Mantar, Abdullah said approval was still awaited.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are being made to wait. We know how to be patient. We will wait and also keep an alternate plan ready,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Chief Minister, however, made it clear that the party\u2019s schedule would remain unchanged.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have told my colleagues that we will definitely leave for Delhi on July 19. Even if we do not get permission for Jantar Mantar, we will reach Delhi, sit together and decide our next course of action there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Describing Kamal\u2019s demise as a personal and political loss, Abdullah recalled his contributions as a doctor, legislator and public servant. He said Kamal continued to run a free medical clinic in Tangmarg even while serving as Jammu and Kashmir\u2019s Health Minister and dedicated his life to serving the poor.<\/p>\n
Abdullah also highlighted Kamal\u2019s political career, noting that he was elected to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly from Tangmarg in 1987 and 1996 and later represented Patan and Hazratbal through by-elections.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
He said the large turnout of mourners reflected the respect and affection Kamal had earned during his lifetime.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the party\u2019s proposed protest in New Delhi on July 20 demanding the restoration of statehood would go ahead as scheduled despite the demise of senior party leader and his uncle, Mustafa Kamal. Speaking to reporters after paying tributes to Kamal, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6070,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6071","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-jammu"},"yoast_head":"\n