Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
The National Conference (NC) legislature party meeting on Wednesday took an unusual turn as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led party ministers and MLAs to Dachigam National Park for a day-long off-site review and strategy session.
Sources told JKNS that all NC ministers and legislators had been instructed to assemble at the Chief Minister’s residence at 10:00 am before being transported to Dachigam, where extensive security, logistical and hospitality arrangements had already been put in place.
The development came amid speculation in political circles that the venue of the meeting had been changed at the last minute. However, Omar Abdullah dismissed such reports, asserting that the off-site gathering had been planned well in advance.
In a series of posts on X, the Chief Minister said the meeting was intended to review the government’s performance since assuming office.
“We are off for an off-site to spend the day taking stock of the last 19 months, the good, the not so good and everything in between,” Abdullah wrote.
In another post, he clarified: “I’m sorry to disappoint you but it has NOT ‘been shifted at the last moment’. It was always my intention to conduct this meeting off-site and all arrangements have been made, days in advance, at the location originally chosen by me.”
Adding to the intrigue earlier in the day, NC MLA Bashir Ahmad Veeri shared a photograph on X showing Omar Abdullah and fellow legislators travelling together. Accompanying the image, Veeri wrote: “Crossed Shalimar for unknown destination!”
Sources said the off-site meeting is focused on reviewing the government’s performance over the past 19 months while also discussing future political strategy and governance priorities.
The unconventional venue has generated considerable interest, particularly against the backdrop of recent opposition criticism and political speculation surrounding the NC leadership’s plans.
Further details about the deliberations are awaited.
